[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RICHARD LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Richard Long, a 
lifelong champion of the American labor movement, my mentor, counsel 
and dear friend on the occasion his retirement from the United Auto 
Workers where he served as National Community Action Program (CAP) 
Director for the past nine years.
  This year, Dick retires from a 46-year-long career which began in 
1963 at the former Pontiac Motor Division in Pontiac, Michigan, where 
he first became a proud member of UAW Local 653. Over the ensuing years 
as Dick advanced on the shop floor, he also advanced and deepened his 
involvement in the UAW, which would chart his personal and professional 
trajectory for the next 40-plus years.
  Some years later in 1987, Dick was elected Vice President of his UAW 
local and the following year he was elected its president. His 
leadership, commitment and talent was fully recognized in1998, when 
then-UAW President Stephen Yokich named Dick his Administrative 
Assistant and, again, in 2000 when Dick was appointed National CAP 
Director. I remember well my pride and optimism when I learned that 
Dick had been appointed National CAP Director. For many years, Dick had 
mentored and counseled me so ably and devotedly; I was certain that in 
his new role, he would educate and organize others with as much verve 
and dedication as I had experienced.
  As CAP Director, Dick was well-suited to the role and charge of 
``developing and advancing policies that improve social and economic 
conditions and enrich the quality of life for all people.'' By any 
account, Dick made a powerful impression on the State and National 
political landscape. His effectiveness was rooted in his ability to be 
equally comfortable working on the national stage or alongside 
grassroots volunteers in a makeshift office space.
  Dick's contributions to the community and commitment to civil rights 
and social justice have been his personal and professional legacy. 
Whether in his role as a local president, supporting Oakland University 
with his wife Jackie, National CAP Director, or working on behalf of 
the many community organizations he champions, Dick has worked to 
create a better future for America's families and workers. For that 
legacy and commitment, he is much admired by me and many others.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my salute today to an 
important and formative figure in my life: Richard Long, a man to whom 
I am deeply indebted for his friendship and good counsel and a man 
whose 46 years of untiring work on behalf of America's working families 
and the ideals of social justice should be heartily commended and 
passionately emulated by each of us.

                          ____________________