[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF GEORGE BECKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
George Becker, former International President of the United 
Steelworkers of America, a former marine, steelworker, and noble and 
fine worker for labor who has helped to build a greater United 
Steelworkers of America throughout his membership.
  Mr. Becker was raised in Granite City, Illinois as a second-
generation Steelworker. Later he went to work at American City Steel in 
the summer of 1944.
  In 1965, he was named as a USWA staff representative and came to the 
International headquarters in 1975. In the Safety and Health 
Department, he was instrumental in establishing some of the first 
national health standards adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration for workers exposed to lead, arsenic and other toxic 
substances.
  Mr. Becker served as administrative assistant to Lynn Williams, after 
Williams became international secretary in 1977 and international 
president in 1983. Becker served two terms as international vice 
president for administration, having been elected to that position in 
1985 and re-elected in 1989.
  As vice president, Becker chaired the United Steelworkers of 
America's Aluminum Industry Conference and guided the union's 
collective bargaining in the aluminum industry. He led major corporate 
campaigns, including the campaign against Ravenswood Aluminum 
Corporation that achieved the significant firing of 1,300 permanent 
scab replacement workers and the return to work of 1,600 steelworkers 
after a 20-month lockout.
  In November 1993 he was elected United Steelworker's sixth 
international president and reelected in November 1997. George Becker's 
presidency was marked by many major achievements. He restructured the 
union efficiency and political strength. He led the successful merger 
of the United Rubber Workers into the USWA in July 1995. And in January 
1997, he finalized the merger of the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers 
with the United Steelworkers of America.
  He also worked as a crane operator at General Steel Castings, and as 
an assembler at Fisher Body. Becker became active in the United 
Steelworkers of America as a member of Local 4804 at Dow Chemical's 
aluminum rolling mill in Madison, Illinois. Working as an inspector in 
the mill, he was elected successively as a local treasurer, vice 
president and president.
  Becker was a vocal advocate for the United Steelworkers of America in 
Washington, testifying before Congress and meeting with Congressional 
leaders and members of the Administration. On the world stage, he was 
an executive committee member of the International Metalworkers 
Federation and chairman of the world rubber council of the 
International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' 
Unions.
  This man is truly one to be honored and emulated as a great president 
of the United Steelworkers and a representative of labor who worked 
tirelessly for workers everywhere.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of George Becker, whose dedication and hard work in representing 
workers everywhere has helped the growth of the United Steelworkers of 
America.

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