[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MR. LESTER (LES) WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2006

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to pay tribute to Mr. 
Lester (Les) Williams for his recognition as ``Labor's Representative 
of the Year for 2006'' by Labor's Educational and Political Club 
Independent (LEPCI). He is President, Business Manager, and Member of 
the Executive Board of Construction and General Laborers' Local Union 
Number 264. As the eighth recipient of this prestigious award, Les 
joins an elite list of other dedicated and deserving individuals. His 
unwavering resolve to the betterment of the Kansas City community and 
its workers is the reason for this recognition and celebration.
  Les is a political activist and humanitarian whose legacy continues 
to enrich the lives of all Kansas Citians. His dedication and 
commitment to the Labor Movement has spanned 38 years. In July 1985, 
Les was elected Vice President, Executive Board Member, and Field 
Representative of Construction & General Laborers Local Union No. 264. 
In May 1988, he was elected to his current positions of President, 
Executive Board Member, and Field Representative of Construction & 
General Laborers Local Union No. 264.
  Les's reputation as a leader extends beyond the borders of the Fifth 
Congressional District of Missouri. He serves as President of Western 
Missouri & Kansas Laborers' District Council, Vice President of the 
Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, Chairman of the Greater Kansas City 
Laborers' Pension Fund, Secretary of the Greater Kansas City Laborers' 
Health & Welfare Fund, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Greater 
Kansas City Laborers' Training Fund, and as Secretary of the MO-KAN 
CISAP Fund. Mr. Williams is a member of the Executive Committee Board 
of the African American Caucus for the Midwest Region of the Laborers' 
International Union of America and also serves on the Executive 
Committee of the United Way and is Vice Chairman of Working Families 
Friend. He is also very active in Democratic politics, serving on the 
Executive Committee Board for the Missouri Democratic Party.
  Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1948, Les completed his elementary 
and secondary education in the Kansas City, Missouri, school district, 
a graduate of Manual High & Technical Vocational High School. Les is a 
proud father and husband, having been married to his wife, Judy, for 39 
years.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to 
Mr. Les Williams for his relentless efforts in protecting and assisting 
the rights of others, while extending the labor movement, not only 
within the boundaries of the Fifth Congressional District, but within 
the United States and the entire global community. He represents the 
best in all of us. I urge my colleagues of the 109th Congress to please 
join me in congratulating Les on being honored as ``Labor's 
Representative of the Year for 2006.''

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