[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF HARRY LESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear 
friend Harry Lester on the occasion of his retirement from the United 
Steel Workers of America, USWA. Harry and I have fought and won many 
battles together over the past 50 years on behalf of working men and 
women. He is an honorable, decent, and hard-working man and I am proud 
to call him my friend.
  As Director of District 2, representing steel workers in Michigan and 
Wisconsin since its establishment in 1995, Harry has shown commendable 
leadership and commitment to the community and to our nation's working 
families. Harry first became active in the Steel Workers at Local 2659 
at McLouth Steel in Trenton, Michigan in 1954. In 1969, he was 
appointed to USWA staff where he later negotiated one of the first 
cooperative partnerships in the country between Dow Chemical, National 
Standard, Quanex, and the Detroit Steel Company. Harry was promoted to 
serve as the director of USWA District 29 from 1981 to 1995 before 
ascending to the position of Director of the newly formed District 2.
  Harry has been very active in the local community throughout his 
career and currently serves on the board of several education, labor, 
political and civic organizations. His activities include participation 
in organizations such as the AFL-CIO, United Foundation, United Way of 
Michigan, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Economic Alliance of 
Michigan, Greater Detroit Area Health Council and the Michigan Economic 
and Environmental Roundtable. Harry has proven to be an effective 
leader in efforts to protect our environment and protecting the rights 
of working men and women across America.
  As Harry enters his retirement years, I would like to extend my best 
wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable journey. I would like to thank him 
for all of his hard work and dedication to the United Steel Workers of 
America and to labor efforts over the years. His commitment to 
improving the quality of life for working families has been an 
inspiration to me and to everyone that he has touched in his many years 
of service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Harry 
Lester for his many years of dedicated public service on behalf of both 
the United Steel Workers of America and the community at large. His 
heartfelt dedication to the workers of this Nation will not be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________