[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING JERRY NORTHEY

  (Mr. BRALEY of Iowa asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my 
friend, Jerry Northey, on his retirement after 12 years as president of 
UAW Local 838, and after 36 years of working at John Deere in Waterloo. 
Jerry has served four terms as president of the local 838 in my 
hometown, making him the longest-serving president in the local's 
history. In fact, he served as president more than twice as long as any 
of his predecessors.
  As president of Local 838, with over 3,000 members, the largest union 
local in Iowa, Jerry has been a strong and effective advocate for 
workers. Under his leadership, the local has seen a net gain of more 
than 500 jobs over the life of the current contract. Thanks to Jerry's 
leadership, the union and John Deere have successfully settled every 
collective bargaining agreement since 1987.
  Jerry has also led corporate ventures between John Deere and the UAW, 
including recently coming together to raise an impressive $1 million 
for the Cedar Valley United Way campaign.
  I know that Jerry will be greatly missed at the local hall and at 
John Deere, and I would like to thank him for his tremendous service, 
congratulate him on his many accomplishments, and wish him the best of 
luck in his retirement.

                          ____________________