[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THOMAS FARIA: MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE RIGHT TO WORK 
                                 CAUSE

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                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I didn't know Thomas Faria. But I know of 
the work he did. And I know the importance of the fight he waged for 
years for freedom. I rise today to give tribute to Thomas Faria and his 
work.
  Mr. Faria was a Connecticut businessman who had contributed to the 
efforts of the National Right to Work Committee. In 1977, after already 
contributing to the cause for 8 years, he sent a letter to Committee 
President Reed Larson offering his services as a member of the Board of 
Directors.
  In that letter, Mr. Faria explained his strong desire to be more 
deeply involved with the Committee's efforts.
  He wrote: ``Although I have supported the National Right to Work 
Committee for a number of years because of my strong belief in 
individual freedom, I did not really appreciate the clout of Union 
political power until I worked on trying to close loopholes in 
Connecticut's Unemployment Compensation law. I would like the 
opportunity to do more in the area of right to work as I feel America's 
future depends on it.''
  Luckily for those in the Right to Work movement, Reed Larson took Mr. 
Faria up on this offer, beginning a quarter century fight together for 
workers' Right to Work.
  Mr. Faria joined the board of directors of the National Right to Work 
Legal Defense Foundation shortly thereafter.
  The Right to Work principle--the guiding concept of the National 
Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation and one of the guiding 
principles of Thomas Faria's work--affirms the right of every American 
to work for a living without being compelled to belong to a union. The 
National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation gives legal assistance 
to employees who are victimized because of their assertion of that 
principle.
  Mr. Faria generously supported the Foundation with his time and 
resources until his death almost 1 year ago. His efforts helped to 
provide free legal assistance to thousands of Americans whose rights 
had been violated by abuses of compulsory unionism and helped make more 
Americans free.
  Many workers, and many Americans who believe in the American ideal of 
freedom, owe thanks to Mr. Faria. I am speaking on their behalf, and on 
my own today, to publicly acknowledge this gratitude.
  So, Mr. Speaker, today I proudly pay tribute to Mr. Faria and the 
National Right to Work organization with whom he served. Their efforts 
have preserved and advanced freedom for individual workers for more 
than 35 years. I applaud their unwavering dedication and tireless 
action on behalf of what should be every American's birthright not to 
be forced to join a labor union to get or keep a job.




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