[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING WILLIAM LUCY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Lucy for his 
lifetime of pioneering work in the labor community.
  William ``Bill'' Lucy was a native of Memphis before he came out west 
to attend the University of California, Berkeley. A civil engineer by 
trade, Lucy was an assistant materials and research engineer for Contra 
Costa County, California. In 1965, he became President of AFSCME Local 
1675, Contra Costa County Employees. Lucy joined the AFSCME 
International staff in 1966 as the Associate Director of the 
Legislation and Community Affairs Departments before serving as 
Executive Assistant to AFSCME's late president, Jerry Wurf.
  Bill Lucy was elected International Secretary-Treasurer, the second-
highest ranking officer, of the 1.3 million member American Federation 
of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO in May 1972. 
Lucy has since been re-elected every four years, most recently in 2000, 
resulting in a tenure in office of more than 30 years
  In addition to his position at AFSCME, Lucy is an important leader of 
the AFL-CIO. In October 1995, Lucy was named a member of the AFL-CIO 
Executive Council and is vice president of the Maritime Trades 
Department and Department for Professional Employees.
  International affairs are of special interest to Bill. In November 
1994, Lucy became the president of Public Services International, the 
world's largest union federation. He also serves on the boards of 
directors for the Africa America Institute, Americans for Democratic 
Action and the Center for Policy Alternatives.
  He is a founder and the president of the Coalition of Black Trade 
Unionists (CBTU), an organization of union leaders and rank-and-file 
members dedicated to the unique needs of African Americans and minority 
group workers. His devotion to the idea of staying within the African 
American Community has now opened many doors to the ranks of union 
leadership for the next generation which is comprised of all ethnic 
backgrounds.
  In a nation with such a critical need for increased minority 
leadership and representation in the unions, William Lucy is the 
highest ranking African-American labor leader in the nation and 
innovative founder of several African American union councils. His is 
an example that continues to lead the mission in promoting unionized 
workplaces, as well as providing and maintaining positive role models 
for inner city youth in these troubled times.
  I take great pride in joining Bill Lucy's friends and colleagues 
today to salute the extraordinary William Lucy.

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