[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 142 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2025-E2026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZION MR. JACK RYAN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS 
   PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 74 OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 10, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Jack Ryan on 
the occasion of his retirement as president of Local 74 of the Service 
Employees International Union. Jack Ryan is a revered and respected 
leader of the labor movement who throughout his life has

[[Page E2026]]

selflessly devoted himself in service to our nation, his fellow trade 
union members, New York's Irish-American community, and his family and 
friends.
  A remarkable union leader, Jack Ryan served as the president of Local 
74 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for almost 14 
years. During that time, he increased its membership ranks dramatically 
through a series of successful organizing campaigns and mergers. Local 
74's membership now surpasses 14,000 members, of whom 4,500 are 
employed in the custodial division of the New York City public schools.
  In 1959, Jack Ryan began his career of service to others by joining 
the U.S. Marine Corps after high school. He proudly served his country 
as a Marine for 4 years, and then returned to New York, began working 
for the United Parcel Service in Albany, and commenced his career in 
the trade union movement. In 1964, he was elected shop steward, 
representing more than 500 coworkers, and proudly held that position 
until 1980. During this time, Jack Ryan also served as elected trustee 
and a member of the Executive Board of Teamsters Local 294 in Albany, 
becoming the full-time business agent of Local 294 from 1980 through 
1983.
  After leaving the Teamsters, Jack Ryan became an International 
Representative for SEIU. In recognition of his outstanding leadership 
qualities, he was promoted to Regional Coordinator, and then named 
International Trustee for SEIU's Local 74 by the Union's International 
President, John Sweeney. Because he was so effective and respected as 
trustee, Jack Ryan was asked by Local 74's Executive Board to run for 
its presidency. In June of 1990 he was elected president of Local 74 by 
an overwhelming majority.
  Because of his outstanding leadership abilities, Jack Ryan was also 
elected to positions in both the SEIU and other prominent labor 
organizations. He serves on SEIU's Executive Board, and has been 
elected Secretary of the SEIU New York State Services Council and Vice 
President of the New York City Central Labor Council. In 1991 he was 
elected a Vice President of New York State AFL-CIO and 1st Vice 
President of SEIU's New Jersey State Service Council.
  Proud of his heritage, Jack Ryan has also been awarded numerous 
accolades and honors by New York's Irish-American community. A member 
of the Irish American Labor Coalition, he was named an honoree at its 
annual dinner in 1998. He also received the Pro Deo et Patria award 
from the New York City Board of Education Emerald Society in 1991, was 
honored by the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, and served as Grand 
Marshal of the Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1995. His 
achievements have also been recognized by Black Trade Unionists, the 
Jewish Labor Coalition and the Greater New York Boy Scouts of America.
  Jack Ryan has always remained devoted to his family. He is the caring 
father of three wonderful children, Patrick and Meghan Ryan and Colleen 
Simmons; and the beloved grandfather of five, Gregory and Alyssa 
Simmons, and Nathan, Jeremy, and Matthew Ryan.
  In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Jack Ryan on the occasion of his 
retirement. He will truly be missed.

                          ____________________