[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO VELMA M. WEBBER BOUCHARD ON HER INDUCTION INTO THE UPPER 
                      PENINSULA LABOR HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 2, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements 
of Velma M. Webber Bouchard, who will be honored for her service to the 
cause of American working men and women with induction into the Upper 
Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Marquette, Michigan on 
April 17th.
  Velma, who grew up in Luce County, began her outstanding service to 
workers of the U.P. and the Democratic Party in 1975. That was the year 
when she started her job at the Newberry Board of Water and Light and 
joined Local 2530, Council 55 (now Council 25) of the American 
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
  Her service in AFSCME includes a long list of leadership positions. 
She served as Local President for two years; Secretary-Treasurer for 
four years; Recording Secretary for three years; Delegate to the 
Eastern U.P. Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO for seven years and Vice-
Chair of the U.P. AFSCME Political Action Committee.
  Velma also traveled extensively through the region teaching Labor 
History and representation skills to AFSCME members. She served her 
local union in AFSCME Council level governance functions, periodically 
serving as a delegate from her local to the Council 55, 11 and 25 
Annual Conventions, as well as being a delegate to the Michigan State 
AFL-CIO Conventions.
  As a trade union leader, Velma spent time working to make her union 
even more effective by serving on the U.P. AFSCME Community Services 
Committee and by serving on the Union Women/Minorities Leadership 
Training Program Board during the 1980s.
  Beyond her union, Velma's involvement in political activities is also 
a reflection of her nonstop efforts to protect and represent Michigan 
workers. Since 1988, she has served as Chair of the Luce County 
Democratic Party and served as its Vice-Chair before then. Velma has 
also been an Officer-At-Large of the Michigan Democratic Party for four 
years; was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention 
in 1992; and has served as an alternate delegate to the Michigan 
Democratic State Central Committee. During the Blanchard 
Administration, Governor Blanchard called upon Velma to take several 
appointments, including the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee and 
the International Trade Board.
  Despite all of the time devoted to organized labor and politics, 
Velma still found time for civic duty. She is a lifetime member of 
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 74, serving as its President and 
District President. She has served as a member of the Michigan 
Selective Service Board No. 17 since 1985.
  Velma retired from the Newberry Board of Water and Light in 1993 
after 18 years. We cannot thank her enough for her endless energy and 
dedication fighting for the rights of Michigan workers.
  I also want to acknowledge Joe King, Velma's good friend of many 
years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in 
acknowledging Velma Webber Bouchard's lifetime of contributions to 
organized labor and her community, and in celebrating the 
accomplishments that have earned her the distinction of becoming an 
honored member of the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame.

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