[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1740-E1741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MS. SANDRA IRONS AND MR. MARVIN SETZER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I take 
this time to honor two of Northwest Indiana's most distinguished 
citizens, Sandra Irons and Marvin Setzer, Jr., upon their retirement 
from their positions with the Gary, Indiana Teachers Union, Local 
Number 4, American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Sandra and Marvin's 
membership in the Gary Teachers Union date back to the beginning of 
their careers in 1961 and 1962, respectively, and the impact they have 
had on the quality of life for educators in the city of Gary is 
immeasurable. For their lifetime of service to the Gary Teachers Union, 
the Indiana Teachers Union, and the American Federation of Teachers, 
Sandra and Marvin were honored at a retirement celebration that took 
place at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana, on Friday, 
August 15, 2008.
  Sandra Jean (Carr) Irons' career in education began following her 
graduation from Kentucky State College in 1960, where she completed her 
Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Chemistry. Following that, she

[[Page E1741]]

went on to receive her Master's degree in Teaching Mathematics from 
Purdue University, West Lafayette. Prior to her work with the Gary 
Teachers Union, Sandra was a mathematics teacher for the Gary School 
Corporation from 1961 to 1971. Following her ten years in the 
classroom, Sandra was elected President of the Gary Teachers Union, a 
position she held until her recent retirement on June 30, 2008. During 
those years, she served in many other capacities, not only with the 
Gary Teachers Union, but with the Indiana Federation of Teachers and 
the American Federation of Teachers as well.
  Sandra has also participated in numerous civic and community 
organizations, including: the National Council of Teachers of 
Mathematics, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People, the Lake Area United Way, the Lake 
County Mental Health Association, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, 
the YWCA, and the Gary Educational Foundation. For her outstanding 
efforts, Ms. Irons has received many accolades and awards. To name a 
few, she was awarded the Viola Briley Service Award by the Gary 
Teachers Union, the Adam Benjamin, Jr., Advocacy Award by the Mental 
Heath Association, the Labor Leader of the Year Award by the Calumet 
Project, and the United Way of America's Joseph A. Beirne Community 
Service Award.
  Marvin Setzer, Jr., completed his Bachelor's degree in Elementary 
Education at Winston Salem Teachers' College in North Carolina in 1962, 
followed by his Master's degree in Elementary Education from Indiana 
University, Bloomington. From 1962 to 1981, Marvin was employed by the 
Gary Community School Corporation as an elementary school teacher. 
During that time, he began his career as the Working Conditions 
Committee Chairperson for the Gary Teachers Union. He held this 
position for more than 30 years before his recent retirement on June 
30, 2008. During this time, he has also held other positions with the 
Gary Teachers Union, including the Coordinator for the Pre-Retirement 
Planning Seminar, as well as several other posts with the Indiana 
Federation of Teachers, where he served as its president, the Northwest 
Indiana Council of Teachers Unions, and the American Federation of 
Teachers' Progressive Caucus.
  Throughout the years, Marvin has also donated much of his time to 
various community and civic organizations, including: the Lake Area 
United Way, the Referral Emergency Agency, the Northwest Indiana Open 
Housing Center, Tots and Teens, and Saint Timothy Community Church.
  Madam Speaker, Sandra Irons and Marvin Setzer, Jr., have given their 
time and efforts selflessly to the teachers, as well as to the students 
and the community, in Gary, Indiana. Throughout the years, and through 
their efforts, the quality of life for their colleagues has improved, 
and the pair has served as true role models to their peers and as true 
friends to Northwest Indiana. I respectfully ask that you and my other 
distinguished colleagues join me in commending Sandra and Marvin for 
their outstanding contributions and in wishing them well upon their 
retirement.

                          ____________________