[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2708-E2709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF LABOR PIONEER AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER WILLIE 
                                 JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memoriam of my dear 
friend, Labor Pioneer and Civil Rights Leader Willie James, who 
departed this life peacefully on Friday, October 30th, 2009. This 
strong spirited and God-fearing man dedicated his entire life to 
uplifting the hopes and dreams of African Americans and people in the 
Labor Movement and we are all consumed by his passing. In February of 
1996, Willie James made labor history, when he became the first African 
American elected to serve as President of the Transport Workers Union, 
Local 100.
  A native New Yorker, Willie James was born in Harlem Hospital on 
April 28, 1936 to the late Charles James and Geneva Nelson Surrency. 
From 1954 through 1957, Willie served his country in the United States 
Air Force as a proud member of the 80th Supply Squadron, Depot Special, 
and received the Good Conduct Medal for his demonstration of honor, 
efficiency and fidelity with great distinction. While in the service, 
he and a few other airmen formed a doo-wop vocal group that covered 
songs by the Platters and other groups. Willie was an accomplished 
Baritone and often told how the group was so good that people in 
Morocco thought they were the real Platters. After serving in the Air 
Force he returned to Harlem finding work as a shipping clerk.
  Later in life he developed an attraction for exotic plants and 
beautiful flowers and in 1964, God blessed him with his own beautiful 
rose when he met and married Rosabelle. Their marriage lasted 41 years 
when she departed this life in 2005. Shortly after marriage he became a 
New York City Police Officer and in 1967 he began his career with the 
Transport Workers Union, TWU, Local 100 under the Manhattan and Bronx 
Surface Transit Operating Authority, MABSTOA.
  He started with a metal-plating company where he was assigned to a 
unit with workers who were perceived as derelict workers beset by 
alcohol and laziness. Not looking down upon anyone but seeing the 
opportunity to help others; he discovered his masterful skill of 
organizing workers. He told the workers that if they worked with him he 
would make a case to the management to get them higher wages. After a 
series of meetings and negotiations with the bosses he won them a 
raise, and developed a promotional ladder for himself.
  He rose through the ranks of TWU Local 100 and held a series of 
positions: MABSTOA DIVISION II Bus Operator; Division II Recording 
Secretary; Vice Chairman and Chairman at Amsterdam Garage; the 
Executive Board's Director of Education and Training; and Financial 
Secretary Treasurer. As he continued climbing the ladder of TWU he 
recalled how he continuously endured blatant racism.
  Defying the odds in 1996, as the first African American elected to 
serve as President of the Transport Workers Union Local 100 Willie set 
the mark that raised the bar for all of us. Willie continued to climb 
the ranks in the TWU and in the labor movement. Serving as Vice 
President of the New York AFL-CIO; Vice President of the New York City 
Central Labor Council and Vice President of the International Transport 
Workers Union.
  In addition to his sufficient contributions to the labor movement 
Willie James was a senior executive for The Municipal Credit Union 
serving in a variety of roles. From 1983-1992, he served as Upgrade 
Training Director; from 1992-1994, he served as Treasurer; from 1994-
2000, he served as President; from 2007-2009, he served as Acting 
Chairman; and in May 2009, Willie served as the Chairman. The Municipal 
Credit Union is one of the oldest and largest Credit Unions in the 
State of New York with more than 300,000 members and $1.3 Billion 
dollars in assets.
  In the struggle for Civil and Human Rights, Willie James, a Prince 
Hall Master Mason of Joppa 55 and founding Member of the Society of 
Afro-American Transit Employees, SAATE, furthered his accomplishments 
and dedication to helping others by serving on the Executive Board 
Committee of the New York Branch of the NAACP; Executive Board Member 
of the Black Trade Union Leadership Committee; Executive Board of the 
Coalition of Black Trade Unionist; Member of the 100 Black Men of 
America, Incorporated; and Member of the Board of 500 MEN Empowerment.
  Willie was also deeply involved in many civic and community 
organizations. He was an ordained Deacon at Mount Hermon Baptist Church 
in the Bronx, New York; and a very active Member of Mount Calvary 
Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. He served as a Deacon at Rockland 
Baptist Church in Pomona, New York until his death.
  Willie James firmly believed that when the opportunity presents 
itself, one should selflessly help somebody without expecting something 
in return. He often quoted. ``Just ask the person who you are helping 
to pass the baton of love and concern to others in this race of life.'' 
Willie loved to sing and at every labor march and rally he used his 
mighty baritone voice to sing out against injustices and inequality; 
for fair wages and jobs; and Human Rights for all. I will always 
remember the songs of freedom and struggle that bellowed from the heart 
of this moral man.
  Willie and his late wife Rosabelle leaves to cherish their memory: 
His sister, Janet Surrency Monroe; two children, Charles James and 
Daisy Moyd; three grandsons,

[[Page E2709]]

Everett, Damon and Kiel; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great 
grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
  Madam Speaker, As a result of Willie James service to our Nation, he 
leaves a multitude of colleagues, constituents, benefactors, and 
laborers to continue the work he had manifested in his life for their 
prosperity and for future generations to come. Though Willie is no 
longer with us, we will continue to keep his memory alive in our hearts 
and minds, and continue to honor his legacy with our advocacy for the 
issues he cared about the most.

                          ____________________