[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SOL STETIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the 
life of a wonderful man, who sadly passed recently, Mr. Sol Stetin.
  It is fitting that he be honored, in this, the permanent record of 
the greatest freely elected body on earth, for his lifelong dedication 
to the labor movement.
  Sol was born in Poland on April 2, 1910 to Hymen and Fanny Stetin. 
Shortly after his birth, the Stetin family decided to migrate to 
America and subsequently settled in Paterson, NJ. The Stetin family had 
to work hard during the turbulent years of the Great Depression which 
led Sol to take a job with a local dye shop in the ``Silk City.'' It 
was not long after Sol began working, that he became witness to the 
atrocities being committed by warehouse managers and business owners. 
Appalled by inhumane working conditions and lack of worker rights, Sol 
decided to lead strikes and arrange union campaigns.
  The Federation of Dyers, Finishers, Printers, and Bleachers of 
America was the first organization Sol helped form and the first forum 
for him to express his concerns for the American laborer. Later, he 
went on to work with the CIO's Textile Workers Organizing Committee 
(TWOC), he worked to build the TWOC into a permanent union under CIO 
standard. His work-ethic was unparalleled and his stellar reputation 
earned him the office of secretary-treasurer of the Textile Workers 
Union of America. In just 4 years, Sol climbed to the rank of President 
and immediately began managing the workers' rights campaign in the 
South.
  Sol Stetin then decided to lead a merger with the Amalgamated 
Clothing Workers and Textile Workers Union, now known as UNITE/HERE. He 
served on the Executive Council of the AFL/CIO and as Executive Vice-
President of the Amalgamated, until his retirement. True to Sol's 
nature, retirement could not slow him down. Instead of relaxing, Sol 
used his free time to found the American Labor Museum/Botto House 
National Landmark in Haledon, NJ. For Sol, the museum was the ultimate 
tribute he could offer to union members and it solidified his personal 
dedication to labor education.
  In addition to Sol's many professional achievements, his personal 
accomplishments should not and cannot be overlooked. He was the devoted 
husband of Frieda and the proud father of two daughters, Sondra and 
Myra. He leaves behind five exquisite grandchildren and five beautiful 
great-grandchildren.
  I have had the privilege to know and work alongside Sol Stetin. We 
shared many of the same concerns and opinions on workers rights, not to 
mention the same passion for our hometown, Paterson, NJ. I can say 
without reservation that the work of individuals like Sol will live on 
in the hearts of those whose lives were enriched by his work.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the efforts of 
devoted activists like Sol Stetin. I ask that you join our colleagues, 
Sol's family and friends, and most importantly, the countless American 
workers Sol has touched throughout his years of work within the labor 
community in recognizing the outstanding service of Sol Stetin.

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