[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO GARY QUICK ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS A UNION 
                                 LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2002

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a man 
who was a union member for over forty three years and a union leader in 
the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for almost that long. Mr. Speaker, I 
rise to honor Gary Quick on the occasion of his retirement on June 30, 
2002.
  Gary Quick was born in downstate Michigan on October 28, 1940 and 
moved with his family to Rapid River in the Upper Peninsula as a child. 
Gary graduated from Rapid River High School in 1959.
  Gary's union career began when he accepted a position as a sub 
assembler at the Harnischfeger Corporation plant in Escanaba, Michigan 
on May 4, 1959. With the new position came membership in United Auto 
Workers Local 632.
  Gary came from a union family so he understood and valued the 
importance of union membership and union leadership. Gary was elected 
by members of Local 632 as Steward in 1963 serving until 1966.
  Gary maintained the respect of the union rank and file and was 
elected Vice President of U.A.W. Local 632 in 1967. After two years as 
Vice President, Gary was elected President of Local 632 in 1969.
  Mr. Speaker, Gary is not just a leader in his union, he is also a 
patriot who has a great love of his country. While serving his brothers 
and sisters as president of local 632, Gary also served his country as 
a United States Army Reservist.
  Gary was honored to be sent to the U.A.W. Constitutional Convention 
as a delegate seven times between the years 1966 and 1983. He also 
served as a delegate to the Trades and Labor Council. In addition to 
his union activities, Gary served as a Commissioner on the Delta County 
Road Commission for six years.
  The United Auto Workers Union recognized Gary's union leadership 
skills and service and appointed him to a union staff position as an 
International Representative in the United Auto Worker's Escanaba Sub-
Region I-D office in April of 1989.
  While serving as an International Representative, Gary successfully 
negotiated union contracts in a wide variety of employment settings 
including the health care, higher education, automotive, and aerospace 
industries.
  Not one to shy away from public service, Gary also served on many 
community and industry boards and councils such as the Blue Cross Blue 
Shield Advisory Board, the Labor management Board, and the Private 
Industry Council.
  After attending his last U.A.W. Constitutional Convention this year, 
Gary announced his retirement effective June 30, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, when Gary was asked to recall the biggest influence in 
his union career, he responded that former United Auto Workers 
President Walter Reuther was the most influential figure in his career. 
The late Walter Reuther, who was known to call everyone he met brother, 
made many profound statements in his lifelong effort to better the 
lives of workers everywhere.
  One such statement inscribed on Reuther's statue in the Walter and 
May Reuther Gardens at the Black Lake U.A.W. Educational Center in my 
district reads: ``There is no greater calling than to serve your 
brother. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.''
  Mr. Speaker, brother Gary Quick responded to his great calling and 
brother Quick has served his brothers and sisters well.
  While Gary may be retiring from his active position with the union, I 
know that he will retain his love and support for his brothers and 
sisters in labor. Gary will now be able to focus his activities toward 
his wife Beverly and stepdaughter Tina, who, together with friends, 
relatives and union brothers and sisters celebrated Gary's retirement 
at a dinner on September 7, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting 
Gary Quick, a true personal friend and a friend of labor in the Upper 
Peninsula of Michigan.

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