[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF EDWARD GEPPERT--CHIEF OF STAFF 
                 OF THE ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the career and retirement of Edward Geppert, the 
Chief of Staff of the Illinois Federation of Teachers since 1994.
  Prior to that, Ed served the IFT as Director of Organization (1983-
1994), Field Service Director (1997-1983) and Executive Board Member 
(1975-1977).
  Ed began his career in education as a social science teacher at 
Cahokia High School (1969-77) teaching government, sociology and 
history. He has been an IFT member since 1969 and is the forma 
president of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers, Local 1272. In 1977, 
he became a field service director for the IFT, organizing locals in 
Southern Illinois. He has also served as a delegate on the East St. 
Louis (now Southwestern Illinois) Central Labor Council and the 
Southwest Area Council, IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO. Ed has also been a member of 
the Glassblowers and Bottlers Union and the United Rubber Workers.
  His expertise in education and labor has been recognized by such 
groups as the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, the Illinois 
State Board of Education, the Illinois Learning Partnership and 
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He is also an active 
member of the Labor Committee of the Leadership Council Southwestern 
Illinois.
  Ed and his wife Marti, a teacher in Cahokia, have three sons, Brad, 
Steve and Dan and reside in Belleville, Illinois. Their special joy is 
daughter-in-law Laurie and grandson Jack. Ed also serves his community 
through his involvement with the Illinois Learning Partnership.
  I have known Ed for many years through his involvement with my wife 
Georgia, who is also an educator. I consider Ed my friend and have the 
utmost respect for him and the work he has done for education in our 
area and our state. Many times I have sought Ed's advice on issues 
related to the educational system in our country.
  The IFT is an organization that is 85,000 strong with 23 offices 
around the state to service members and provide program support to each 
member. Ed has the courage of his convictions, and the IFT we know 
today is due in no small part to Ed's tremendous ability to build a 
team, keep everybody involved and continue working for our most 
democratic American institution, public education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
contributions of Ed Geppert and wish him and his family the very best 
in the future.




                          ____________________