[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN REMEMBRANCE OF GEORGE BECKER

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of George 
Becker, a man who was an activist, a respected union organizer and a 
tireless champion that protected worker's rights.
  George Becker was the sixth international president of the United 
Steelworkers. For 7 years George provided a booming voice that 
expressed the frustrations and concerns of the steelworkers, while 
demanding that they be treated with dignity and decency. He sought to 
unite the workers by educating them, and launched a program aimed at 
involving the workers in addressing their interests to politicians.
  When his brothers and sisters faced job insecurity, George 
courageously fought for their rights. The campaign by George and the 
union workers was victorious, and showed Americans that a union still 
had the ability to protect the rights of members. He believed that only 
a union could protect the working class, a sentiment he expressed after 
visiting the workers of many non-unionized corporations.
  George's concern for the mental and physical well-being of union 
workers led to the proposal of Occupational Safety and Health Act 
(OSHA) safety standards for those exposed to lead and arsenic. Because 
of his endless work on implementing OSHA safety standards, workers 
whose health was affected by their job would not suffer loss of pay 
when taking time off.
  George died February 3rd, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. He is 
survived by his loving wife, Jane; his wonderful sons, George, Greg and 
Matthew; his ten grandchildren; his great grandchildren and his sister 
Jacqueline Straus.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory 
of George Becker, a major proponent for worker's rights in the 
industrial workforce.

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