[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ANTHONY CANNESTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Anthony Cannestro, an effective union leader, a loving family man, and 
a great citizen of Florida. Born originally in Newark, NJ, Cannestro 
entered the U.S. Navy and later became a machinist. In 1958, Cannestro 
and his wife of 49 years, Mary, relocated to South Florida.
  Mr. Cannestro will long be remembered for his tireless efforts in 
establishing and running Teamsters Local 769. Cannestro was a key 
member of the original group that first organized workers, and he soon 
became the Local's vice president. In 1973, as a resident of the Fort 
Lauderdale and Cooper City area, he was asked to assume the presidency 
of the union by his fellow Teamsters, and he remained the union's boss 
until he retired in 1999.
  Mr. Cannestro was often regarded as one of Florida's more powerful 
voices in the organized labor movement for the better part of 40 years, 
wielding his influence from the state capital on down to local city 
councils. During his time as president of Local 769, the Teamsters 
successfully unionized local government employees, construction and 
building employees, airline workers, and more employees from numerous 
trades. Cannestro's effective organizing tactics landed him a post on 
the Georgia-Florida Conference of Teamsters where he contributed to an 
important regional dialogue on the Teamsters and its presence in the 
Southeastern portion of the country.
  In addition to his work with the Teamsters, Mr. Cannestro volunteered 
his time to many charitable groups, including serving as general 
chairman of the Boys Town of Italy. He also served locally for the 
American Red Cross and raising awareness for Cerebral Palsy.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly a special occasion to honor Mr. Cannestro. 
His earnest efforts in South Florida to afford his fellow union members 
common sense worker protections and to raise the standard of living 
serves as an example to us all.
  Mr. Cannestro is survived by his wife Mary, of Lady Lake, and four 
children, Ginny of Dania Beach, Anthony Jr. of Navarre Beach, Michael 
of West Palm Beach, and Nicholas of Dania Beach. Mr. Cannestro also is 
survived by 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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