[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL NYE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my good friend 
Michael Nye on the occasion on his retirement from California 
Federation of Teachers (CFT). For the past 12 years Michael has served 
as CFT's Secretary-Treasurer--handling all the financial matters, 
promoting its growth, implementing agency fees, working with 
independent unions gathering their support and representing CFT at 
political, labor and community events. Michael is a well-respected and 
admired man of integrity, honesty and dedication. I have had the 
pleasure of working with Michael for many years and know firsthand of 
his outstanding accomplishments and tireless dedication on behalf of 
teachers and organized labor.
  Born in Chicago, Michael first learned about the labor movement from 
his relatives who were involved in the teachers and the musicians 
unions. He moved with his family to California, where he studied 
political science, history and philosophy at San Diego State 
University. While attending the University, he worked as an 
instructional aide in the San Diego Unified School District. He 
continued his studies at Fresno State, earning a secondary Teaching 
Credential in American Government. There he received a grant from the 
Model United Nations of the Far West to be the Registrar of the 
International Court of Justice. Michael taught at Lincoln High School 
in the San Jose United School District while studying to complete his 
Masters degree in political science at the Cal State University at 
Hayward.
  Michael also taught Labor Studies at numerous Bay Area Community 
Colleges including San Jose City College, West Valley College, San 
Francisco City College and Merritt College in Oakland. And he taught 
Labor Studies and Political Science at San Francisco State University.
  Michael's personal experience in the labor movement began at the 
early age of 24 when he was elected Vice President of the San Jose 
Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 957. Shortly thereafter he became its 
President. Two years later, he served as Vice President of CFT and was 
elected Business Manager of the Central Council of Santa Clara at the 
young age of 31 years.
  Michael left the Bay Area 11 years ago to become the Executive 
Director of the Western Region of the Jewish Labor Committee in Los 
Angeles. In 1994, Michael was asked to accept the position of Secretary 
Treasurer of CFT, completing the circle in the teacher union movement 
started 25 years earlier. Currently Michael serves as President of the 
Western Region of the Jewish Labor Committee, and also serves as a 
board member of the United Labor Bank, a unionized and union owned 
bank.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Michael Nye for his 
lifetime of service to students, teachers and the labor movement.

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