[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GEORGE C. WELKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today recognize George 
C. Welker at the close of his 40-year career serving the employees of 
CWA Local 1108 in Patchogue, New York. His remarkable tenure spans 
dramatic changes in the telecommunications industry and labor relations 
in America. Unwavering and undiminished in that time is Mr. Welker's 
devotion to the members of CWA Local 1108 and his Long Island 
community.
  In 1969, George Welker joined CWA as Steward for his gang of 
installers at New York Telephone's St. James garage. He rose through 
the ranks, serving as Chief Steward of Repair, Area Representative and 
Business Agent, before being elected President of Local 1108 in 1990 
and serving until 2008. He was also a member of the Regional Bargaining 
Committee, participating in the negotiation of four collective 
bargaining agreements, and served the CWA National Union as chairman of 
its Finance Committee.
  The most significant of Mr. Welker's many achievements at CWA Local 
1108 include negotiating the addition of 3,200 temporary employees to 
Bell Atlantic's regular payroll in 1998, winning an arbitration case 
that restored the livelihoods of 215 union members who were wrongfully 
dismissed in 2002, and overseeing Local 1108's successful merger with 
Local 1110 in 2004.
  Madam Speaker, organized labor deserves much of the credit for the 
rise of America's middle class. The labor movement and its successes 
are built on the shoulders of leaders like George Welker. He will be 
sorely missed by the workers of CWA Local 1108, and I join them in 
thanking him for his service and offering best wishes for a retirement 
free of grievances.

                          ____________________