[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING JUDY GOFF, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER EMERITUS ALAMEDA 
                             LABOR COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Judy Goff who 
served, from 1999 to 2005, as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the 
Alameda Labor Council, based in Oakland, California. She was the first 
woman elected to lead a major labor council in California and was also 
the first woman elected statewide President of SEIU Local 535.
  Judy Goff's leadership in the labor movement is exemplary. She has 
consistently supported labor solidarity by speaking at numerous 
rallies, walking countless picket lines, and being arrested for the 
cause of worker's rights.
  She is a founding member of the Labor Immigrant Organizing Network, 
which initiated a successful resolution to change the National AFL-CIO 
policy on immigrant workers' rights. Ms. Goff has never hesitated to 
put herself and the labor movement squarely on the side of the 
downtrodden and oppressed. She is a staunch supporter of workers' civil 
rights. During her leadership, the Alameda Labor Council opposed police 
action against workers and protesters and was instrumental in changing 
police tactics and policy to insure safety and respect.
  Increased diversity in the leadership of the Alameda Labor Council is 
another example of Judy Goff's consistent voice and steady leadership 
to represent the interest of all workers, locally, nationally, and 
internationally. She has devoted her efforts to improving labor 
education at all levels, including service on the California State 
Assembly Speaker's Commission on Labor Education.
  In keeping with her ongoing interest of economic parity for workers, 
she spearheaded the successful passage of a Living Wage Ordinance in 
the cities of Berkeley, Hayward, and Oakland as well as the Port of 
Oakland.
  On June 10, 2005, the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, AFL-
CIO will bestow its Lifetime Achievement Award on Judy Goff as Unionist 
of the Year. I join the Council and Ms. Goff's friends, family and 
admirers in appreciation for her many years of dedicated service and 
congratulate her on a distinguished career in the labor movement.

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