[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO JON G. ``JACK'' LASALLE ON HIS 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 honor the lifetime of 
achievements of my longtime friend Jon G. ``Jack'' LaSalle, who will be 
inducted into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame at a ceremony in 
Marquette, Michigan on April 17th, 2004. Jack's decades of service to 
further the best interests of Michigan workers have more than earned 
him this great honor.
  A native of Nahma Michigan, Jack is a 1971 graduate of Northern 
Michigan University. In June of that year, Jack began his 
apprenticeship as an Ironworker and became indentured and an apprentice 
member of Local 783, International Association of Bridge, Structural, 
Reinforcing and Ornamental Iron Workers, AFL-CIO. In 1975, he graduated 
from Apprentice School and became a Journeyman Iron Worker.
  In 1973, with his local and International Union's support, Jack 
studied Industrial Relations at the University of Minnesota. During 
that time, Jack was the first and only apprentice of Local 783 to serve 
the local union as a member of the Bargaining Committee. After 
returning to the U.P. in 1974, Jack worked his trade until taking a 
Staff Representative position in 1975 with Council 55 (now Council 25), 
of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 
(AFSCME). In 1978, Jack took a position with the Michigan State AFL-
CIO's Labor Employment and Development Program servicing the U.P. 
During his time at the state AFL-CIO, Jack took the lead in organizing 
the Eastern U.P. Central Labor Council and the Dickinson-Iron Counties 
Central Labor Council.
  Jack was elected to office in the Marquette County Labor Council, 
AFL-CIO as Financial Secretary-Treasurer in 1976 and served for several 
terms. He also served seven years as President of the Labor Council and 
is currently its Recording Secretary.
  Since the mid-1970's, Jack has also been very active in politics and 
worked on many campaigns, including being elected as a Morris Udall 
delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention and serving several 
terms on the Michigan Democratic Party's State Central Committee. He 
served 4 years as Chair of the 11th District Democratic Party and 3 
years as Officer-At-Large of the Michigan Democratic Party. He also 
served as the Marquette County Field Coordinator for the Blanchard for 
Governor Campaign in 1982. Jack has been the Chair of the Marquette 
County Democratic Party since 2001.
  Jack and Jeanne LaSalle have been active in every political campaign 
for the past 30 years. I am pleased and honored to have earned the 
support of the LaSalles in my own congressional campaigns.
  In 1983, Jack was appointed by Governor James Blanchard to serve as 
Deputy Director of the newly opened Governor's Office for Job Training. 
In 1987, he was again appointed by Governor Blanchard to the Mackinac 
Bridge Authority and later became its Vice-Chair, serving on the 
Authority until 1994. Jack was also a State Board of Education 
appointee to the Michigan Occupational Information System (MOIS) 
Advisory Board in 1978, where he served for 13 years and as Chair for 
five years.
  Instead of taking a much deserved break, Jack is currently serving 
his 19th year as a Field Representative for the Michigan State Building 
and Construction Trades Council, representing the U.P. and the Northern 
Lower Peninsula. In addition to being an active member of Ironworkers 
Local 8, Jack maintains memberships with the Industrial Workers of the 
World, the American Civil Liberties Union (since 1981) and many other 
political and progressive organizations championing the cause of 
workers.
  I also want to recognize Jack's wife and partner, Jeanne, and all her 
sacrifice that allowed Jack to serve so many workers over the years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in 
acknowledging Jack LaSalle's lifetime of contributions to organized 
labor and his community, and in celebrating the accomplishments that 
have earned him the distinction of becoming an honored member of the 
Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________