[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JAIME HERNANDEZ IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXEMPLARY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today and 
acknowledge Jaime Hernandez, a friend and outstanding leader for 
working men and women in America. On March 31, 2007, community members 
and leaders throughout Los Angeles will gather to commend Jaime for his 
38 years of dedication to the Laborers' International Union of North 
America, Local 300.
  Jaime was born to Antonio and Amalia Hernandez in Jalisco, Mexico in 
1942. Like so many people, his parents moved the family to the United 
States in search of the American dream. He learned the value of union 
work early on from his father, who was a committed and passionate 
Laborer for 14 years. In this respect, Jaime and I are much alike. Just 
as Jaime's father spent many years as a proud Laborer, so did my 
father. Like Jaime, when I worked alongside my father as a young man, I 
learned from him the dignity and pride that comes from hard work. 
Whether digging ditches, laying cement, or raising manholes, I learned 
that if you work hard you deserve the American dream. I know Jaime and 
I both draw upon these lessons to this day.
  Since first joining the Laborers in 1969, Jaime has fought for 
greater opportunities for workers, better wages, expanded benefits, and 
safer work sites across California. Rising from the role of a rank-and-
file member, he was appointed as a Laborers' Field Representative in 
1987. Then in 1994, his peers acted on their recognition of his talents 
and commitment and elected him President and Executive Board Member of 
Laborers' Local 300. His subsequent re-elections in leadership roles 
resulted from Jaime having distinguished himself in the labor community 
as a true leader and advocate for working men and women. Jaime is now 
retiring as Secretary-Treasurer--a position he has held since 2000.
  A. Philip Randolph, a prominent civil rights and union leader, once 
said, ``The essence of trade unionism is social uplift. The labor 
movement has been the haven for the dispossessed, the despised, the 
neglected, the downtrodden, and the poor.'' Just as his parents sought 
a better life for their children through hard work, Jaime has worked to 
keep that opportunity available to people from all walks of life. Jaime 
has been an integral part of the Laborers' mission by bringing justice, 
honor, and a voice to hard working people across America.
  Jaime has been married to his high school sweetheart, Anita, for 44 
years. Together, they have four children and nine grandchildren, all of 
whom have been raised with Jaime's understanding and reverence for 
social and economic justice. They have all seen Jaime work on behalf of 
non-profit organizations, charities, law enforcement agencies, and 
children's groups with the assistance of the union.
  Madam Speaker, it is with pride as a friend, a former member of the 
Laborers' Union (Local 187 in Sacramento), and an admirer of hard work 
that I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Jaime 
Hernandez for his lifetime devotion to bringing dignity to the lives of 
every day Americans, and his loyal service to Local 300 of the 
Laborers' International Union of North America. On behalf of the 
countless Laborers, including me, to whom Jaime Hernandez has dedicated 
his career, and the entire labor community which has benefited 
immensely from his lifelong contributions, I say thank you and may you 
enjoy many more years of fruitful endeavors.

                          ____________________