[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HARRY LESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man that is a giant 
in the United Steelworkers of America, Harry Lester. Harry is retiring 
from the United Steelworkers on February 10 and will be honored at a 
dinner that evening. With his retirement working men and women are 
losing a remarkable advocate.
  Harry's association with the labor movement began when as a child, he 
witnessed the tragic death of his father in a coal mining accident in 
West Virginia. Thus began a lifelong commitment to social justice. 
Relocating to Michigan, Harry went to work for McLouth Steel 
Corporation and became a member of the United Steelworkers in 1954.
  Working with his local, Local 2659, Harry was elected shop steward 
that same year. He rose through the ranks of the union and was sworn in 
as the District 2 Director in 1981. He has been re-elected director 
ever since. Harry has earned the reputation of a tough and fair 
negotiator. He negotiated the workplace safety and health language that 
was later handed down in a Supreme Court decision as the standard for 
all workers. Twice he has worked to keep McLouth Steel Corporation in 
operation, first in 1982 and the second time in 1987. At that time his 
ingenuity saved the company by putting together an employee buyout. The 
employees owned 87 percent of the company and created, for that time, 
the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plan in this country.
  Simultaneously, as he was working to save McLouth Steel Corporation, 
Harry was working with the negotiating team for National Steel 
Corporation. He helped craft the Cooperative Partnership Agreement that 
gave the company's employees a say in the decisionmaking process. His 
efforts on behalf of the membership advanced worker input and saved 
their employers millions of dollars. In 1993 he was appointed chair of 
the United Steelworkers of America National Steel Negotiating 
Committee.
  Harry's commitment to social justice extends beyond the workplace. He 
is active with numerous organizations including the Metropolitan AFL-
CIO, the Michigan State AFL-CIO, United Foundation, United Way of 
Michigan, National Kidney Foundation, Economic Alliance of Michigan, 
Blue Care Network, Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Parks Authority, Citizens 
Advisory Committee of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Greater 
Detroit Area Health Council, Michigan Economic and Environmental 
Roundtable and is the founder of the Annual Downriver Community Prayer 
Breakfast. Harry serves on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and 
with his wife, Mary, is a bell ringer every Christmas.
  As District 2 Director, Harry believed it is essential for local 
union leaders to be as skilled and as educated as their company 
counterparts. He developed training classes and encouraged lifelong 
learning. In this he led by example. Harry has taken every Labor 
Studies class offered by the University of Michigan, Wayne State 
University, and Michigan State University. In May 2005 he was awarded 
an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by Michigan State University 
and actively works with the school's Labor Education Program on 
curriculum development.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
expressing admiration for a man that has devoted his entire life to the 
betterment of those around him. Through his foresight every worker in 
this country has benefited. I, and other Members of this body, have 
long sought his guidance and I have welcomed his wisdom. I wish to 
thank Harry Lester for his service and wish him the best as he retires 
from the United Steelworkers of America.

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