[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1574-E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF EDWARD B. PULVER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. 
Edward B. Pulver for his outstanding and tireless commitment to the 
people of Hudson County and his dedication to the trade unions. Mr. 
Pulver will be memorialized on Thursday, September 9, 2004 by the City 
of Jersey City, New Jersey as they unveil `Edward B. Pulver Way' in a 
ceremony at the corner of Washington and Dudley Streets in Jersey City, 
New Jersey.
  A native of Jersey City, who lived in Bayonne for 35 years, Mr. 
Pulver was a voice for working men and women for more than five 
decades. He began sailing on railroad tugs in the New York/New Jersey 
harbor in the late 1940s, and became active in the Seafarers 
International Union (SIU) when the fleet he helped to organize chose to 
affiliate with the organization's Inland Boatman's Union. In 1990, Mr. 
Pulver became the vice president of the Seafarers International Union 
of North America, while simultaneously heading the SIU's office in 
Jersey City. Additionally, Mr. Pulver was the president and a founding 
member of the Hudson County Central Labor Council, and served on the 
state AFL-CIO executive board as Secretary-Treasurer.
  Mr. Pulver founded many organizations and belonged to numerous 
community and civic groups, including the National Executive Board of 
the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Hudson County 
(N.J.) Economic Development Corporation. He served as president of the 
Hudson County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for 16 
years. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for the Hudson 
County School of Technology, as well as for Saint Francis Hospital and 
Christ Hospital.
  Considered a godfather to the Filipino community, Mr. Pulver was a 
member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, raised funds for several 
Filipino organizations, and brought thousands of Filipino-Americans to 
an annual three-day conference in Piney Point, Maryland at his personal 
expense for almost a decade. He also served as executive vice president 
of the Filipino and Americans As One organization, was the cofounder of 
the Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM), and was 
instrumental in organizing the first Philippine American Friendship 
parade. He also served as the first Grand Marshall of PAFCOM.

[[Page E1575]]

  A member of America's greatest generation, Mr. Pulver was a U.S. Army 
veteran who served our great nation in Germany during World War II.
  Mr. Pulver is survived by five daughters, two brothers, 10 
grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Edward B. Pulver: a 
seaman, labor rights organizer, philanthropist, community activist, 
father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Mr. Pulver, we will 
miss your kindness, but your memory will live on in the hearts and 
minds of everyone you have touched with your generosity and friendship.

                          ____________________