[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1341-E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATING JOE GUNN ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after 14 years as president of the 
Texas AFL-CIO, Joe Gunn has announced that he will retire. I rise today 
to congratulate Joe and to wish him well in his retirement.
  Joe Gunn has actively served the workers of the State of Texas for 
many years.

[[Page E1342]]

  He went to work for Southwestern Bell in 1949 and joined the 
Communications Workers of America, Local 6222 on the same day. During 
his 22 years with Southwestern Bell, Joe spent 11 years in full-time 
service to Local 6222.
  Joe ran for job steward and was easily elected. Within a very short 
time, he ran for Chief Steward and was again elected. Always looking 
for more challenges, Joe ran for and was elected first as a vice 
president and then as president of Local 6222. That is when I met Joe 
in 1972.
  In a short time, Joe was elected and served as a vice president and 
as the president of the Harris County AFL-CIO.
  In January, 1979, Joe was elected as the secretary-treasurer of the 
Texas AFL-CIO. He served in this capacity until his election as 
president on July 29, 1989.
  But Joe's life has involved more than the CWA or the AFL-CIO. Joe 
also served for seven years as a Commissioner on the Texas Employment 
Commission, the precursor to the Texas Workforce Commission. He was 
first appointed to this position by former Governor Dolph Briscoe.
  He has also served his community by holding such positions as vice 
president of the Harris County United Way, the Houston Council Boy 
Scouts Executive Council,and youth director of his church.
  Joe is married to Dorothy Ann Taylor Gunn. They have ten children, 
six of which were foster children. He and his wife attend the United 
Methodist Church in Austin.
  Joe Gunn never forgot that his purpose was to improve the working 
conditions of all Texans. He has always represented workers and has 
worked tirelessly for a safe workplace, fair pay and respect for all 
employees, union and non-union.
  He is a legend and a force in Texas politics and will not be 
forgotten or easily replaced.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Joe Gunn for 
his many years of service and to wish him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________