[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 87 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H6541-H6542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING JOHN HENNING

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a leader 
for working men and women, a distinguished diplomat and a great 
American John Henning, known to us as Jack, who passed away on June 4, 
2009. Jack Henning will be long remembered for his distinguished career 
on the front lines of the labor movement, fighting passionately for 
justice, equality, human rights and jobs in California, across America 
and throughout the world.
  A native San Franciscan, Jack began his career working for the 
Association of Catholic Unionists. He joined his first union, the 
United Federal Workers of the CIO, after graduation from college. Jack 
served for decades as a dedicated leader of working people, rising to 
be the president of the California Labor Federation. In that role, Jack 
represented millions of California's workers with great distinction. 
Not only union members, but millions of Americans who never belonged to 
a union enjoy better wages, safer workplaces, greater rights and more 
secure retirements because of the battles waged by union leaders such 
as Jack Henning.
  Jack was a close ally of legendary farm worker organizers Cesar 
Chavez and Dolores Huerta. He cited among his proudest accomplishments 
the passage in 1975 of the landmark Agricultural Labor Relations Act, 
which our colleague Mr. Howard Berman was so much a part of, and 
provided tough labor protections for those who have been abused and 
mistreated for decades in California's pastures of plenty.
  Jack Henning ended his farewell speech from the California Labor 
Federation in 1996 with, And if by a suspension of the laws of nature I 
were young again, I would follow no other course, no other flag, but 
the flag of America and the flag of labor. The labor movement was 
blessed to have him as a leader.
  As distinguished as he was on behalf of workers, Jack made many other 
contributions to his State and this Nation for which we are all 
grateful. Before taking the presidency of the California Federation of 
Labor, Jack served Presidents Kennedy and Johnson as Under Secretary of 
Labor and was appointed by President Johnson as Ambassador to New 
Zealand in 1967. Jack was also a distinguished regent at the University 
of California for a dozen years during which he helped lead the fight 
for expanded opportunities for minority students and demanded that the 
university divest its investments in apartheid South Africa. That 
divestment initiative helped bring about the peaceful end of apartheid 
and the new day of majority rule in South Africa.
  We will all miss Jack greatly, but none more than his sons Brian, 
Daniel, John Jr., Patrick and Thomas; his daughters Mary and Nancy; his 
12 grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. We also remember his 
beloved wife Betty, who preceded him in death. I hope it is a comfort 
to his family that so many people mourn their loss and are praying for 
them at this sad time.
  Jack Henning was a proud American, a devout Catholic, passionate 
about his Irish roots and a great friend and mentor to many of us. Mr. 
Speaker, I join Jack Henning's family, friends and workers worldwide to 
honor his legacy, celebrate his life and remember his illustrious 
contributions to the State of California and to our great Nation.

[[Page H6542]]

Later today, thousands of people will gather in California to do just 
that, celebrate his life and pay tribute to him.

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