[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1953-E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CAROLYN TATE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Tate, UAW Retired Workers 
International Representative, was born in Freeport, Illinois, on June 
23, 1945. Only daughter of James and Vinnie Arnold she also has three 
brothers, James Arnold, Jr., Columbus, Ohio, David Arnold, Cincinnati, 
Ohio and Eddie Arnold, Oakland, California. Carolyn moved to Oakland, 
California in 1958. She met and married Bennie Tate, Jr. in December 
1964, and had three children, Steven, Karen, and Tracy Tate. She has 
one grandson Steven M. Tate and a second grandson on the way.
  Carolyn attended Berkeley High School, Berkeley California, and 
graduated in June of 1963. Continued her education by attending Merritt 
College, Oakland, California, and received her Associate in Arts 
Degree, Liberal Arts Studies in June 1980. Being aware of the 
importance of continuing her learning experience in 2001 Carolyn was 
accorded senior status at Cal State University, Long Beach, where she 
intends to pursue a B.A. Degree in her new role as a retiree.
  Carolyn's work and professional experiences are quite interesting to 
follow. In her search for short term employment she interviewed with 
General Motors Part Depot in September 1973. Interesting to note, that 
job led to 33 years of service with the UAWand General Motors. Her 
plant closed and she relocated to Sparks, Nevada in 1980. She 
immediately became involved with UAW Local 1262 and became the 
Financial Secretary of the Local and held that elected position for 12 
years. In 1988, she implemented the first V-CAP check-off drive in the 
GM facility which Tripled Local 2162's contributions to the UAW's V-CAP 
regional program.
  Remembering having heard UAW President Walter Reuther's old saying 
that there was a definite connection between the ballot box and 
collective bargaining, she decided to become very active in the 
Democratic party of Nevada. During the party activities led her to hold 
various positions which included Washoe County Registrar from 1986 to 
1992. It was in Nevada that Carolyn, not only became an extremely 
active UAW Local Union officer, but she also began to be more deeply 
involved in community activities making her a committed activist for 
social change. In 1989, UAW leadership noticed this active Local union 
official and was appointed by Vice-President Stephen P.

[[Page E1954]]

Yokich, as the UAW quality network representative.
  Having shown a quick grasp of the make up of UAW activities, she was 
recommended for an appointment to the International Staff by Region 6 
Director Bruce Lee. Upon that recommendation in August 1992, UAW 
President Owen Bieber appointed her to the International Staff and was 
relocated to the UAW headquarters in Artesia, California. Her first 
assignment was an International Organizer, and shortly thereafter there 
was an opening in the UAW Retirement Workers Department and she was 
assigned to that position where she spent the last 14 years. In that 
capacity, Carolyn coordinated and implemented UAW senior activities, 
programs, political action, lobbying events and all Get Out to Vote/
registration Drives in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and 
Washington State for over twenty-seven thousand UAW Retirees. Under 
Director Jim Wells leadership, since 1995, she elevated Region 5--West 
Retiree's to holding the number one title for UAW V-CAP fundraising 
drives.
  Carolyn Tate's experiences as a working mother, union organizer, 
international representative, dedicated community activist, and 
political action and lobbying activities, make her an outstanding model 
for others, male and female, to follow and emulate. She has proven that 
in spite of obstacles that one faces in life, one can always strive to 
improve oneself by sticking to it and giving service to others.

                          ____________________