[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING MR. EDWARD J. MCELROY ON HIS ELECTION TO THE PRESIDENCY 
                 OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to congratulate a 
longtime champion of public schools, Mr. Edward J. McElroy, on his 
recent election to the position of President of the American Federation 
of Teachers (AFT) second-largest teachers' union in the country. His 
longstanding commitment and leadership on education and the issues 
faced by working families will be of great value to AFT's 1.3 million 
members.
  A former social studies and English teacher in my hometown of 
Warwick, R.I., Mr. McElroy earned his bachelor of arts degree from 
Providence College in Rhode Island. He has also done graduate work at 
the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. His service in 
Rhode Island includes time spent as president of the Warwick Teachers 
Union, the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and the Rhode Island 
AFL-CIO. The heart of Mr. McElroy's service has always been fighting 
for a stronger education system for our children. He has recognized 
that the best way to give children a chance for a better future and to 
provide a strong workforce is to provide every child with a strong 
education.
  As president of the Rhode Island Federation of teachers, Mr. McElroy 
worked with the Rhode Island state legislature on the Michelson Act, 
which created collective bargaining for teachers in the state. On a 
national front, he has led efforts to strengthen and uphold financial 
and accountability requirements at every level of the union. He has 
been at the forefront of the AFT's initiatives to harness technology to 
support, inform and mobilize union members. For decades, Ed McElroy has 
displayed unwavering leadership and commitment to the teachers, 
paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, local, state and 
federal employees, higher education faculty and staff, nurses and 
healthcare professionals, and public schoolchildren of our Nation.
  Personally, I have known Mr. McElroy for more than 20 years and have 
had the pleasure of working with him in his leadership positions, both 
in Rhode Island and more recently as the Secretary-Treasurer of the 
AFT. I am confident that he will bring tremendous dedication, 
professionalism and expertise to the position of President of the 
American Federation of Teachers.

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