[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF JOHN HATCHER

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, I rise to speak about a dear and 
trusted friend, not just for me and my family but for the people of 
Lorain County, OH. John Hatcher was a man of conscience and courage. 
His commitment to the highest ideals is unwavering, even in the face of 
criticism and attempts to silence him.
  In large and small ways, John Hatcher has done more for the working 
men and women of Lorain County and organized labor than anyone else I 
know. John is a retired United Auto Workers member from the Ford Motor 
Company Ohio assembly plant in Avon Lake.
  For generations, the plant helped build Lorain's middle class--the 
same way that American manufacturing built America's middle class. He 
has long held a position of leadership in the labor movement, and his 
loyalty to his fellow workers and to those who champion them has never 
wavered. He is still president of the Lorain County UAW CAP Council and 
a board member of the Lorain County Labor Agency.
  He has chaired the Lorain County Labor Day Festival Committee for 
several years--an event that attracts thousands of Lorain County 
families to celebrate the accomplishments and heritage of organized 
labor. And every month, John finds time to deliver food to the elderly 
through the Lorain County Office on Aging.
  For the many years I have known John--two-and-a-half decades, 
perhaps--he has been a fighter who is not afraid to stand up for what 
he believes. And as he battles cancer, John is displaying the same 
vigor, the same fighting spirit. Yesterday, hundreds of friends, 
families, and elected officials joined in honoring John with the Lorain 
County AFL-CIO Lifetime Achievement Award.
  John said--and I was standing with him--``I haven't been out in the 
community much the past few months, but as the warm weather comes, I 
will be back out soon.''
  In many ways, John's presence is always felt in Lorain--through the 
workers he has helped and for the causes which he has championed. He is 
a tireless champion for working men and women. He has made an 
invaluable contribution to the labor movement.
  You never wonder where you stand with John Hatcher. He is the best 
kind of friend. He stands sturdy at your side in the highest winds, but 
is also willing to rein you in if you are getting too full of yourself. 
He is one of the kindest people I know, always greeting his friends 
with a twinkle in his eye and the hug of a man twice his size.
  Of all his accomplishments, the hours of labor spent at the factory, 
in the union hall, or on the picket line fighting for others, if you 
asked John, his proudest achievement is being a devoted husband to 
Carol--one of my favorite people--and a loving father to 6 children, 13 
grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
  Thank you, John, for your service to the working men and women of 
Lorain County, for your service to the State of Ohio, and for your 
service to our Nation. Connie and I are honored to consider you our 
dear friend.

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