[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1659-E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                JIM SANTANGELO--LABOR LEADER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Jim Santangelo who is 
being honored as San Diego's Labor Leader of the Year. Jim is a New 
Jersey native who began his career as a truck driver in his home state 
following an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1959. This was also 
the time when Jim joined his first Teamsters Union Local. Shortly 
thereafter, he moved to Southern California and began his rapid rise in 
Teamsters Local 848.
  Widely known throughout Southern California by thousands of rank- 
and-file Teamsters over the decades because of his communication 
skills, he served the Western Conference of Teamsters in 13 states as 
food and warehouse division director. In that post, he expanded working 
strategies for industry Union members to prosper under new collective 
bargaining agreements.
  For years he served as the Union's political affairs chairman. His 
long tenure as the director of Joint Council 42's political screening

[[Page E1660]]

committee prompted a return of pro-worker and pro-labor elected 
representatives at all levels of public life in Southern California.
  His dedication to Union members and working families and advocacy of 
training and education for all propelled him to the leadership of the 
largest Teamsters Joint Council in 1998. This was followed by his 
election to Western Region Vice President of the International 
Brotherhood of Teamsters. He was re-elected IBT Vice President in June, 
2006.
  More recently, Jim spearheaded the region's massive donation, 
mobilization and transportation of foodstuffs and necessities to the 
families of San Diego-based United States Marines deployed to Iraq and 
Afghanistan when it became known that welfare and food stamps were 
keeping families afloat.
  Under his leadership, Teamster's Joint Council 42 inaugurated an 
annual scholarship program, created a computerized phone center for 
Union-to-member communications, and secured the award-winning Teamsters 
Joint Council 42 truck and trailer, which traverses the country for 
organizing and charity relief purposes.
  He has also recently overseen the creation of the Teamsters Training 
Academy, a comprehensive training and upgrading facility to license 
commercial drivers.
  Jim's commitment to the community has also led him to train for and 
join the city of El Monte Police Department as a reserve officer where 
he serves as a sergeant. In addition, Jim is a Los Angeles County 
Sheriff's Department reserve officer.
  Jim Santangelo has been an inspiration to working families throughout 
Southern California--and truly deserves the honor as ``Labor Leader of 
the Year.''

                          ____________________