[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF MR. MIGUEL CONTRERAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Mr. Miguel Contreras, devoted husband and father; a dedicated labor 
leader whose exemplary work touched the lives of many Californians.
  Mr. Contreras was born and raised in Dinuba, California. The son of 
migrant farm-workers, Mr. Contreras went to work beside his parents and 
five brothers in the agricultural fields of California's Central Valley 
at only five years of age.
  As a young man Mr. Contreras worked with the United Farm Workers of 
America. It was here that he found his true calling by learning from 
Cesar Chavez the meaning of dignity and self-worth. Mr. Chavez saw the 
potential of Mr. Contreras and appointed him a staff member of the 
United Farm Workers. It was here that Mr. Contreras learned the 
importance of speaking up and standing up for oneself.
  With this strong foundation Mr. Contreras fought tirelessly for the 
rights of immigrants. He was an inspiration to many, bringing a special 
pride to Latino workers throughout California.
  In 1993 Mr. Contreras began his work for the Los Angeles County 
Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO as Political Director. In 1996 he became 
Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation, devotedly serving 345 
unions with a collective 800,000 members. He held this position until 
his unexpected death on May 6, 2005. He will be missed greatly.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Mr. Contreras. I offer my deepest condolences to his mother Esther 
Contreras; his wife, Maria Elena Durazo; his two sons, Mario Salazar 
and Michael Contreras, and his five brothers Alex, Antonio, David, Juan 
and Pablo Contreras.

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