[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF RICK DIEGEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
tremendous service to the working man and woman of America by a true 
friend, Rick Diegel. Rick recently retired after working for the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in a 
distinguished career that spanned 38 years.
  After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, Rick's IBEW career began in 1969 
when he joined Corpus Christi Local 278 in his native Texas. Always 
active in politics, Rick also served three terms as mayor protem in the 
city of Ingleside in the early and mid-1970's. Rick was elected 
business manager for Local 278 in 1977, and he arrived upon the 
Washington political scene in 1983 when he was appointed IBEW's 
Political Director, the same year I was elected to Congress. Then, in 
1998, he became director of the IBEW's combined Political/Legislative 
Department, the position he held until his retirement October 1st, 
2007.
  Upon Rick's arrival in Washington, Rick Diegel immediately made an 
impact on public policy on behalf of the IBEW and its members. Through 
the support given to IBEW-endorsed candidates in local, state, and 
federal elections, the IBEW has been able to influence the agenda on 
vital kitchen-table issues such as job security, the minimum wage, 
healthcare, working conditions and safety, retirement, and trade. Rick 
became a major figure in the modern labor movement and helped lead the 
transformation of the IBEW into the 21st Century.
  Madam Speaker, I want to commend Rick's tireless dedication to the 
members of the IBEW and the labor movement as a whole over his almost 
four-decade career. He will be truly missed by me and the IBEW.
  Rick will be returning to Texas, where he will be able to have more 
time with his wife Theresa, his seven children, and four grandchildren. 
Fortunately, Rick isn't completely leaving the political arena though--
he has promised to be available to aid Hillary Clinton's Presidential 
campaign, so we won't be losing him entirely.
  Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking Rick 
Diegel for all of his hard work and dedication as IBEW's lead political 
architect for over 20 years and in wishing him and his family the best 
of luck in his retirement.

                          ____________________