[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF THURMAN R. PAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thurman R. Payne, 
a man who worked tirelessly at Brookpark Ford for 50 years and served 
diligently as the President of Local 1250 for two terms, as the 
Building Chairman of the Cleveland Casting Plant, and as President of 
the Foundry Council.
  Thurman R. Payne is an advocate of worker's rights, supporting 
equality for all of his fellow brothers and sisters. Thurman's advocacy 
garnered enough national attention that the great civil rights leader 
Rosa Parks visited the Union Hall.
  During Thurman's first term as President of Local 1250, challenging 
economic conditions caused layoffs and a decrease in morale. During 
these tough times, Thurman rallied his co-workers to take a stance 
against layoffs and to advocate for quality products in order to assure 
job security in the future.
  Thurman R. Payne was an innovator in many ways. As President of Local 
1250, Thurman began a program to help further the education of all of 
his brothers and sisters. He made educational opportunities accessible 
to these men and women of Local 1250 by placing a trailer on the 
Union's lot, where any member could go for various educational 
opportunities.
  Thurman R. Payne retired on September 1, 2006 after 50 years of 
advocating for labor rights. Thurman is currently battling cancer. 
Though this is a different sort of challenge, we know that he will 
battle this disease with the same amount of energy and optimism as he 
had during his years at Ford.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Thurman R. 
Payne, a man that dedicated 50 years of his life to ensure that his 
fellow brothers and sisters were treated with equality, had 
opportunities to further their education, and had job security.

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