[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF UNION REPRESENTATIVE GERI OCHOCINSKA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2006

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize the 
career of Union Organizer and Negotiator Geri Ochocinska, who is 
retiring after a distinguished career as Director of UAW Region 9.
  Ms. Ochocinska has been a leader of Buffalo's Labor movement since 
1965 when she helped organize Rich Ice Cream Co. Following this 
success, she joined UAW Local 55 as a Technical, Office and 
Professional unit Chair. She was then promoted up the ranks of Local 
55, serving at various times as Office Manager, Administrative 
Assistant to retirement and welfare funds, Business Representative, 
Vice President and Financial Secretary.
  In 1976, Ms. Ochocinska was appointed International Representative, 
servicing 60 companies in the Western New York area for her local UAW. 
She held this post until her election as UAW Regional Director.
  Elected in 1998, Ms. Ochocinska became the first woman to hold the 
post of Regional Director of the UAW. As Regional Director of UAW 
Region 9, Ms. Ochocinska represented the 91,898 active and retired 
members of the UAW from Western and Central New York, New Jersey, and 
most of Pennsylvania. She was re-elected to her post in 2002.
  A recent article printed in Western New York's Business Newspaper, 
Business First, pointed out that Geri Ochocinska has risen higher than 
any woman in the history of organized labor in Western New York. Geri 
receives recognition as a great negotiator. She is a woman who takes 
firm stands in negotiations. She also is known for her compassion and 
for the nurturing ways she cared for and fought for UAW workers.
  Ms. Ochocinska's retirement is a loss to the Labor Community of 
Western New York, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to take this opportunity to 
thank her and congratulate her for a lifetime of service to the working 
men and women of Western New York.

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