[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO ED SMITH: RETIREE OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-time leader 
in the labor movement, Ed Smith. I am very proud and happy to join with 
the San Diego Labor Community in honoring Ed as the ``2008 Johns 
Retiree of the Year!''
  Ed began working in small ``Mom and Pop'' grocery stores at the age 
of 13. By the age of 18, he was a full time journeyman grocery store 
clerk and a member of Local 1222, Retail Clerks, which is now known as 
U.F.C.W. 135. In December of 1966, he went to work for Coca-Cola 
Bottling Company of San Diego as a route sales driver and joined 
Teamster Local Union 683. While at Coke, he held various leadership 
positions.
  In May of 1977, he went to work for I.T.T. Continental Baking 
Company-Wonder Bread as a route sales driver. While at Wonder Bread, he 
assumed the role of shop steward and quickly became interested in 
worker's rights. In October 1991, he was appointed trustee to the 
Executive Board of Teamsters Local 683. In January of 1994, he was 
hired as a business agent and served in that capacity for 5\1/2\ years.
  Upon Rich Truffa's retirement in November of 1999, Ed was appointed 
secretary-treasury, a position he held until his retirement on January 
1, 2005. Ed currently resides in San Diego with his wife, Linda. They 
have been married for 43 years, and have one daughter and two 
grandchildren, a 12-year old grandson, and an 8-year granddaughter.
  In his retirement, our Retiree of the Year, Ed Smith, continues to 
support and champion worker's rights and remains active in the labor 
community!

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