[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING GERALD D. BANTOM, ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UAW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
United Auto Workers International Union Vice President Gerald Bantom on 
the occasion of his retirement. Having joined the UAW in 1964, Mr. 
Bantom's career is a testament to hard work and dedication. While 
excellent leaders are waiting in the wings to continue the work Gerald 
started, his leadership in negotiating for quality benefits in these 
trying times with Ford Motor Company will certainly be missed.
  A Detroit native, Bantom joined UAW Local 600 in 1964 when he started 
at the Specialty Foundry at Ford Motor Company's River Rouge complex. 
Quickly gaining the respect of his peers in Local 600, in 1971 he was 
elected to the bargaining committee of the Specialty Foundry Unit of 
the local. Having excelled in this he was reelected to a second term in 
1975 and as chairperson in 1978.
  When the Specialty Foundry was closed in 1980, Mr. Bantom transferred 
to the Dearborn Engine Plant where his leadership abilities were 
immediately recognized. He was appointed as a district committeeman in 
1980, and the next year he won election to the plant bargaining 
committee.
  In 1982 Gerald was appointed as an international representative and 
was assigned to the UAW-Ford National Development and Training Center 
where he stayed in varying capacities until 1986.
  Beginning in 1988 Mr. Bantom served as an administrative assistant to 
two successive UAW vice presidents and directors of the union's 
National Ford Department, Stephen P. Yokich and Ernest Lofton. During 
this time, when Ford Motor Co. was earning record profits and had hired 
more than half its current workforce, Gerald played an integral role in 
negotiating landmark collective bargaining agreements.
  Following this hard work he was elected and served as director of UAW 
Region lA--a position he would represent with distinction until the 
UAW's 33rd Constitutional Convention on June 5, 2002 in Las Vegas, NV, 
were he was elected vice president.
  After becoming vice president, Gerald Bantom immediately faced the 
difficult task of negotiating supplemental agreements for workers at 
Visteon and Automotive Components Holdings, changes in the UAW-Ford 
health care plan, and early retirement packages for UAW's Ford workers.
  While his retirement leaves a void in the UAW leadership that will be 
difficult to fill, his work in mentoring a new generation of UAW 
leaders means that a significant part of his legacy has yet to be 
written. Regardless of how Gerald Bantom's final story will be, the 
leadership and passion he has brought to the UAW has provided a 
sterling role model for future labor leaders. On behalf of working 
Americans and a grateful Congress, Mr. Bantom, I thank you.

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