[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 107 (Thursday, July 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING EULA TATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional 
Black Caucus I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Eula Tate. 
A talented and determined leader for civil rights, Ms. Tate left an 
indelible mark on both Michigan and the District of Columbia. Ms. Tate 
recently passed away on July 11, 2009.
  Eula Tate attended Wayne County Community College for two years 
before transferring to and graduating from the University of Michigan. 
She began her career as an assembler for Chrysler in 1967 at the 
Trenton Engine plant in Trenton, Michigan, but quickly realized the 
harsh injustices within the workforce. Eager to make a real change to 
help those in her same position, Eula Tate served as a Councilmember 
for the City of Ypsilanti from 1981 to 1991. She continued her service 
to her community by going on to serve as Ypsilanti's senior chief 
executive officer, Mayor Pro-Tem and member of the City's Budget 
Committee.
  Passionate about providing young people with the ability to arm 
themselves with the knowledge and community stewardship she was 
fortunate enough to obtain, Tate went on to serve as a faculty member 
at Michigan State University for the School of Labor and Industrial 
Relations, Union Minorities and Women's Leadership Training Project.
  Realizing that there was much work to be done and wanting to make a 
difference in the legislation that directly affects Labor Union 
workers, Eula Tate came to the United Autoworkers Washington office in 
1991 and continued her role as Legislative Representative/Lobbyist 
until her retirement in 2007. All who had the honor of knowing Tate 
knew that she worked every moment of every day to bring about fairness 
and justice to Americans across the nation. And she provided a 
tremendous amount of support and assistance to members of the 
Congressional Black Caucus. For that we are deeply grateful.
  On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I would like to thank 
Eula Tate's family for sharing this wonderful, inspiring, visionary 
spirit with us, especially her children Jennifer, Stephen, Yomika, 
Ronald and Donald and a host of other friends and family who were very 
dear to her heart. Eula Tate's astounding impact and legacy will live 
on through the countless people who loved her so dearly and, of course, 
through her remarkable works of service to the Labor Union community 
and to the state of Michigan. We will deeply miss this drum major for 
justice. May her soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________