[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO MEL OLSSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mel Olsson on 
his retirement after more than three decades in service of our 
country's defense and the men and women who build the submarines that 
protect our national security.
  Mel began his career at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut as a 
pipefitter apprentice in 1961. After decades of work at EB, Mel was 
eventually elected in 1990 as President of the Marine Draftsmen's 
Association, MDA-UAW Local 571. Serving as MDA President until 2003, 
Mel served on a number of negotiating teams, and was chief negotiator 
for eight successful contract negotiations with Electric Boat and 
Computer Sciences Corporation.
  Mel has not only ably represented his colleagues in Local 571, but he 
has also been a community pillar in eastern Connecticut by serving in 
state and local organizations. Mel served on the Board of Directors of 
the United Way, is a member of the Work Force Investment Board, and 
serves on the Board of Directors of the Charter Oak Federal Credit 
Union. In addition, Mel is the former Chairman of the Electric Boat 
Community Services Committee, and is a member of the Stonington 
Democratic Town Committee.
  Mel and his wife, Dorothy, reside in Mystic and have been married for 
forty-two years. They are the proud parents of their daughter, Alyssa.
  Mel retired as a Piping Design Tech at Electric Boat on May 31, 2007, 
after thirty-six years of remarkable service. The men and women of UAW/
MDA 571 and Electric Boat will miss his leadership and vision inside 
the gates at EB, but I know they will join me in saluting Mel Olsson 
and his outstanding and unique career in eastern Connecticut.

                          ____________________