[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOHN W. CUNNINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 14, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I 
rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and outstanding leader in 
the labor movement, John W. Cunningham. His passing marks the end of an 
era at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America 
Local Union 210 and the loss of a dear friend to many across 
Connecticut.
  John was a carpenter. He worked hard all of his life and his 
commitment to the labor movement as well as his membership is 
unequalled. Joining Local 210 in 1956, just 10 years later he became a 
business representative and would serve the next 30 years as the 
General Agent of Carpenters Local Union 210. He was active both locally 
and nationally--fighting for policies and protections for his 
membership and working men and women across the country. In addition to 
his service with Local 210, John also served as the Vice-President of 
the Connecticut State AFL-CIO, President of the Stamford Labor Council, 
and President of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. There 
was no stronger advocate or determined voice than that of John 
Cunningham.
  John was responsible for the creation of the Carpenter's Legislative 
Improvement Committee which was the first federal political action 
committee established by a local union--providing a voice for 
carpenters' issues at the national level. And in the early 1990s John 
formed the President's Committee with other union leaders which 
strengthened the Brotherhood nationally by providing new leadership and 
making it more responsive to the needs of its members. John was also 
instrumental in opening the doors of opportunity to women and 
minorities by implanting outreach programs which brought them into the 
trade.
  John's efforts on behalf of working families extended far beyond his 
work to shape public policy. During his tenure, he created the 
Connecticut Carpenters' Health and Pension Fund and established Local 
210's Scholarship fund which assisted members' children in pursuing 
higher education. He launched an apprenticeship and training program 
and began a program of inviting union members and the public to forums 
where they would hear from speakers that included Nobel Laureates, 
Pulitzer Prize authors, economists, and elected leaders. Perhaps most 
telling of his civic minded nature was his leadership during the 
National Building Trade Council's efforts to help the families of the 
28 construction workers killed at the L'Ambiance construction disaster 
in 1987.
  John understood the importance of serving one's community. He was an 
active member of the Weston community where he served on a number of 
boards and commissions, including the School Building Committee, the 
Town Building Committee, Planning & Zoning, Little League Baseball, and 
was a founding member of the Weston Booster Club. He was an 
extraordinary man who dedicated countless hours to making all the 
difference in the lives of thousands.
  I join all of his friends and colleagues in extending my deepest 
sympathies to John's wife, Virginia, his six children; Kimberly, Devon, 
Bill, John, Caroline, and Diana, as well as his seven grandchildren; 
Chalan, Maevereen, Conor, Brennen, Makena, Samuel, and Geneva. I am 
honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the life of John W. 
Cunningham. His is a legacy that will continue to inspire generations 
to come.

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