[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ALEXANDER MALLONEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with great pleasure to honor a 
labor leader in my district who has done so much to protect people's 
rights. Alexander Mallonee is retiring after 30 years with the United 
States Postal Service, including more than 25 years with the National 
Association of Letter Carriers, NALC, and almost 10 years with the 
North Bay Labor Council. Since he first joined the union, Alex has 
demonstrated a calm, caring and respectful approach to addressing the 
issues facing members of the National Association of Letter Carriers 
and of the labor council.
  Alex didn't set out to be a labor leader. In fact, he was attending 
San Francisco State University for a master's degree in English when 
his life changed. As his wife, Kathy Farrelly, remembers it, he was 
studying in the library in the fall of 1969 when there seemed to be 
some sort of commotion outside. People raced out of the building, so 
Alex went to the terrace to take a look. What he saw was the school 
quad filled with police toting bullhorns and billy sticks to break up a 
student demonstration.
  A command squad rushed up the stairs, Kathy continues, stating 
simply, ``He got hit over the head with a baton.''
  There he was, an innocent bystander, unconscious, his head bleeding 
onto the cement, and a cop looming over him with a club in his raised 
hand. It was a perfect picture of the times, and a photographer who 
happened to be there snapped it for the cover of Rolling Stone and for 
Newsweek magazine.
  ``I think that's what launched him into social advocacy,'' Kathy 
says. ``It was a colossal injustice.''
  From that decision evolved a life devoted to advocating for free 
speech and human rights. Alex gave up the idea of teaching Victorian 
literature and instead, because he needed to make a living, became a 
letter carrier. ``He quickly joined the union and became active,'' 
Kathy notes. And from that decision came his involvement in labor 
issues. Soon thereafter, in 1980, he became president of the local 
branch. He has been re-elected every two years since.
  As always, Kathy says, his motivating force has been a search for 
justice.
  ``There are so many crises we have handled,'' explains Jerry 
Andersen, vice president of Branch 183 of the NALC. ``He just doesn't 
lose his cool.''
  At the same time, Alex works to protect people's rights, he takes 
time to teach people, Andersen adds. ``A lot of management in the 
postal service have learned from him.''
  Alex is one of those people who makes a difference quietly. He 
doesn't seek glory for himself, but gets satisfaction from doing a good 
job. In fact, he becomes embarrassed by pomp and circumstance, Andersen 
notes. Fortunately for Alex, he doesn't need ceremonies to recognize 
his authority. He has the respect of those he works with and those who 
work for him.
  Kathy, who is retiring as well from her long career as counsel to 
Sonoma County, says she doubts either one of them will sit back and 
watch the world go by. Alex will keep on with the letter carriers union 
for a while, she expects, and with his efforts to make labor unions 
more a part of an overall progressive movement that includes the 
environment and affordable housing.
  And of course, as an avid cyclist, he will spend more time enjoying 
the stunning bike trails of northern California.
  But the impact of his life protecting workers' rights will live on in 
Sonoma County. So, too, will the philosophy he and his wife share and 
live--that no one can afford to ignore justice that goes awry.
  Madam Speaker, Alex Mallonee's advocacy for just causes has meant a 
lot to me over the years. Because of this and especially because of his 
life and legacy to the people of Sonoma County, I am proud to honor him 
on his retirement.

                          ____________________