[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 157 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING RICHARD LACOSSE ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE UPPER PENINSULA 
                           LABOR HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard (Dick) LaCosse 
on his induction into Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. A resident of 
Escanaba, Michigan, Mr. LaCosse will be honored at the U.P. Labor Hall 
of Fame Induction Banquet on October 11, 2008. I ask that you, Madam 
Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in 
honoring Mr. LaCosse on this momentous occasion.
  Richard LaCosse began his career in 1969 when he went to work at Mead 
Paper in Escanaba, Michigan. He joined United Paperworkers 
International Union, UPIU, Local 110, which is now United Steelworkers, 
USW, Local 2-21. Dick LaCosse quickly became actively involved in his 
local union and soon became a shop steward. He was appointed to the 
position of Chief Steward and vice president in June 1978 and was 
elected president of the local union in January 1981. In August 1983, 
he was appointed to the position of international representative.
  During his 25 years with the International Union he served at one 
time or another as: a member of the Delta County Trades and Labor 
Council; member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Peninsula Labor/
Management Council, including a term as its president; chairman of the 
Niagara of Wisconsin Jointly Trusted Pension Plan; trustee of PACE 
International Union's Pension Plan; member of the Board of Directors of 
the Upper Peninsula Private Industry Council; treasurer of the Upper 
Peninsula Safety Council; member of the Governor's Task Force on 
Education; member of Michigan's School to Work Committee; member of the 
Delta/Schoolcraft Education Advisory Development Board; member of the 
UPIU/Scott Paper Joint Advisory Committee; steward of the 
Representatives and Organizers Union; member of the Advisory Planning 
Committee of Northern Michigan University's Labor Education Division; 
planning commissioner for the city of Escanaba; member of the Delta 
County Economic Development Alliance Board; member of the USW/SCA Joint 
Advisory Committee; executive board member of the Michigan and 
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Mr. LaCosse has also been a guest instructor 
on labor issues at Northern Michigan University, Bay de Noc Community 
College and several area high schools.
  In 2003, at the first convention of PACE International Union, Mr. 
LaCosse was elected vice president and regional director of Region 10, 
which was the largest region in PACE. In 2005, PACE International Union 
merged with the United Steelworkers of America to become the USW 
International Union, the largest industrial union in the nation. On 
March 1, 2006, he was installed as international vice president with 
responsibility for national paper bargaining in the newly merged union. 
Mr. LaCosse retired from the USW on March 1, 2008.
  Madam Speaker, Richard LaCosse has spent a career advocating for the 
rights of his colleagues. Dick's years of service have no doubt made an 
impact on countless workers across the country. I ask that you and the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring and thanking 
Richard LaCosse as he received a well-deserved induction into the Upper 
Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame.

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