[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO YOGGI RILEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my long time 
friend, Yoggi Riley, in recognition of her February 3, 2006, retirement 
from the U.S. Postal Service. Ms. Riley had a long and distinguished 
career with the Postal Service--almost 38 years. She proved herself a 
leader through her tireless work with the Postal Workers Union. 
Throughout her career she helped improve the lives of countless other 
postal workers through her union service.
  In September 1967, Yoggi began working at the Post Office Department 
as a special delivery messenger. After witnessing the hardships 
experienced by the postal workers on the picket lines during the 1970 
New York postal workers strike, which spread throughout the country, 
she joined the San Fernando Valley Area Local Branch of the American 
Postal Workers Union, APWU. This decision not only changed her life, 
but because of her tenacity as a union leader, it ultimately impacted 
the lives of many others. While her desire to help fight for and 
protect the rights of her fellow employees was kindled by that strike, 
it has continued to burn brightly throughout her career.
  Yoggi's exceptional leadership as a union representative became 
apparent during the 1970s. In 1979, she was elected President of the 
local union and ultimately served two terms. During her tenure, the 
quality of service and the reputation of the local union increased 
markedly. Although she turned over the reins of leadership to spend 
more time with her family, whenever the union needed her she rose to 
the occasion. When organized labor fell on hard times and employees 
were required to work longer hours for less pay, the local union sought 
out Yoggi's help. She returned as Office Manager, and served as 
Secretary and then as Treasurer.
  Her leadership was tested in the mid-nineties when postal management 
attempted to change the definition of a special delivery messenger and 
in the process deprive workers of their right to be represented by the 
union of their choice. During this crisis, she sprang into action, 
helped confront management, and enlisted the support of the national 
union. She then entered into a test case to resolve the issue through 
arbitration. Acting in concert with the national union, an agreement 
was reached with management that all messengers would remain, as stated 
in the law, in their union of choice. This was a great victory for 
postal workers.
  Yoggi settled into a job as Mailing Requirement Clerk advising postal 
customers about the best way to make and prepare their mailings. In 
2001, the Postal Service recognized Yoggi with its Diversity Award, an 
honor justly deserved. Although she has now retired from the UPS, Yoggi 
has not retired from her quest to help postal workers. In recognition 
of her passion and ability to help postal workers, the APWU has asked 
Yoggi to conduct seminars on retirement and to help other workers 
appropriately prepare for that transition. Not surprisingly, she has 
taken on this challenge with zeal and will, no doubt, continue to make 
a tremendous impact.
  Yoggi is a very special woman. In addition to all she has done on 
behalf of postal workers, she has also devoted herself to raising a 
family. She is married to Lester Riley and they have two children and 
six grandchildren. The time and energy she gave to coaching children's 
baseball and t-ball was so well known that the community renamed the 
playing field across from her home after her.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Yoggi Riley, 
congratulating her on her retirement, and wishing her success in all 
her future endeavors.

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