[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H8265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H8265]]
               HONORING THE LIFE OF MORRIS ``MOE'' BILLER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
giant in the labor movement, a giant whose voice was silenced 2 weeks 
ago, Mr. Morris Biller, affectionately known as Moe. Moe Biller 
departed this life on September 5 at age 87.
  Moe Biller's voice may be silent, but the principles for which he 
lived and fought for can be heard all around the world. It is often 
said that success in life can be measured by how many people one is 
able to touch in a positive way. By all accounts, Moe Biller lived a 
pretty successful life.
  He was one of those individuals who had to swim upstream. His 20 plus 
years as president of the American Postal Workers Union helped to 
transform that union and the United States Postal Service. Moe's legacy 
will perhaps be that of a hero to those workers of the Postal Service 
who were viewed as mediocre to the mail process. He was a champion for 
the little people.
  In 1970, he led a strike that began in his hometown of New York and 
spread to 30 cities involving 200,000 workers. Former President Richard 
Nixon called in the National Guard in an effort to move the mail. That 
strike led to postal reorganization in 1971 and provided workers with 
the right to bargain for wages, benefits and improved working 
conditions.
  Even those who did not agree with Moe's style or message respected 
him for his courage and passion on behalf of the workers at the postal 
workers' operation.
  The Postmaster General has noted that Moe Biller was a forceful, 
innovative leader who worked tirelessly on behalf of the American 
Postal Workers Union members and on behalf of the Postal Service. The 
Postmaster General ordered that flags at postal facilities be flown at 
half staff until Biller's burial, which took place on Sunday, September 
7.

                              {time}  2030

  Mr. Speaker, Moe Biller's imprints on the labor movement, collective 
bargaining rights, and concern for humanity are attributes to be 
admired. Moe's work will continue with leaders like the current 
president of the APWU, Bill Burrus. I was pleased to join Bill Burrus 
and members of APWU at the Second Annual Moe Biller Postal Conference 
which took place at the Brookings Institute recently, and Moe's 
presence could be felt.
  We have lost a giant in the movement. The best way we can honor Moe 
Biller is to keep his spirit alive by rededicating ourselves and 
redoubling our efforts to improve worker conditions, protect collective 
bargaining, expand health care to those in need, and provide adequate 
resources for those who are the everyday workers of our society. I ask 
that my colleagues, citizens of America, and the 750,000-plus postal 
workers join with me in extending our heartfelt condolences to the Moe 
Biller family and our thanks for his great work on behalf of humanity. 
May Moe Biller's spirit rest in peace and resonate in our actions. He 
was truly a representative of the working man.

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