[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAMES E. WORSHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring this legislation to the 
attention of the House for it would be a fitting tribute to James E. 
Worsham to rename the Grand Crossing Postal Station after him. Mr. 
Worsham has served the public with considerable distinction as a postal 
worker and as a union leader.
  Before joining the Post Office, Mr. Worsham served in the U.S. Air 
Force for 4 years and then the city of Chicago as a traffic court 
clerk. Mr. Worsham began what would become an illustrious postal career 
on the southeast side of Chicago at the Grand Crossing Station on 
January 16, 1963. On that day in Chicago, the actual air temperature 
reached twenty-seven degrees below zero. Having no experience as a 
letter carrier, he was sent out into the elements to deliver what mail 
he could. As it was his first day, he was not appropriately dressed for 
a prolonged exposure to the severe weather conditions and, as a result, 
suffered frostbite to his ears. Undaunted by this initial experience, 
he returned to work the next day. He had been out of work for some 
time; and a job at the Post Office offered security and benefits for 
his family. From day one, James adhered to the literal meaning of a 
carrier's creed--neither rain nor snow, heat nor cold shall stay a 
carrier from his appointed rounds.
  His coworkers were the first to recognize Mr. Worsham's fiery and 
staunch determination, and they drafted him to become their shop 
steward. Immediately, his leadership qualities became evident, and they 
were acknowledged by the then President of Branch 11 of the National 
Association of Letter Carriers. Soon he was slated to run for Sergeant-
at-Arms with his focus to protect the rights of postal employees and to 
serve the public with its entitled postal services.
  Mr. Worsham became an Auditor for Branch 11 and then its Chief 
Steward. In January of 1979, while holding these positions, he ran for 
President and won overwhelmingly. As President, his skills became known 
nationwide; and the National President recruited him to become a 
National Trustee while maintaining his position as President of Branch 
11. Upon retirement, Mr. Worsham didn't slow down at all--he became 
Director of Retired Members for the Letter Carriers in Washington, DC, 
for 4 years. He returned to Chicago as President of Branch 11, and he 
turned the city's membership attainment into a 97.8 percent rate--the 
highest in the nation. Mr. Worsham still currently serves as President 
of Branch No. 11 of the National Associations of Letter Carriers.
  Mr. Worsham attended and graduated from William Gladstone Elementary 
and William McKinley High Schools. His wife, the late Corrine Kelly, 
was his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life. To this union 
were born three children--Valerie, Vance, and Adrienne. Mr. Worsham is 
a thirty second degree Mason and a faithful member and Deacon of 
Emmanuel Baptist Church.




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