[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1090-E1091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JOHN LUKES, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2005

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to rise before you today 
to pay tribute to a loyal friend and a tireless advocate for America's 
workers, Mr. John Lukes, Sr. This Friday, members and friends of UAW 
Local 599 in Flint, Michigan, will honor the life and legacy of this 
great man, who died May 23 at the age of 82.
  It has been said that ``death ends a life, not a relationship,'' and 
this is certainly the case with those who have ever come into contact 
with John Lukes and have benefited from his influence. A longtime Flint 
resident, World War II veteran, and committed labor activist, John's 
association with the UAW began October 6, 1949. As a member of Local 
599, John served as Alternate Committeeman from 1949 to 1967, and 
worked as Editor of the Headlight newspaper from 1957-1964. John was 
elected Recording Secretary for the Local in 1967, a position he held 
until his retirement, and provided leadership and insight on the 
executive boards of the Veterans Committee, CAP Committee, and the 
Health & Safety Committee. On a national level, John operated as 
National Publicity Chair for the UAW's 30 & Out Committee. In 1977, 
John was honored with the Walter P. Reuther Distinguished Service 
Award.
  Upon his retirement from General Motors in 1992, after 43 years, John 
continued to work on behalf of his peers through the Local's Retiree 
chapter, where he served as chairman until 2003. He was also found at 
the forefront of many community projects.
  Mr. Speaker, John Lukes, Sr. was not just a constituent, but also a 
very good friend. It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you 
today, however it is also with great pride that I do so. It is people 
like John, who make it their life's work to improve the quality and 
dignity of life for us all, that continue to inspire us

[[Page E1091]]

to greater efforts. I, along with John's family, and his UAW extended 
family will truly miss him. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the life of a remarkable man.

                          ____________________