[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF MR. JOSEPH PETERS, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 
       FROM THE DIRECTORSHIP OF THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS REGION 1

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2010

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a lifelong champion of the 
American labor movement, Mr. Joseph Peters, Director of the United Auto 
Workers Region 1, on the occasion of his retirement from the UAW. As a 
Member of Congress, it is both my privilege and honor to recognize Mr. 
Peters for his many years of service and his contributions which have 
enriched and strengthened our community.
  Joe Peters has been a tireless advocate for his UAW brothers and 
sisters. Joe started his career as a member of Local 400, while working 
at the Ford Paint Plant in Mount Clemens. Joe became active in the UAW 
in the late 1960s when he moved to work at the Ford Utica Trim plant. 
While at Utica Trim, Joe was elected as the Midnight Committeeman, 
member of the Plant Bargaining Committee, Plant Chairman, Vice 
President of Local 400, and President of Local 400.
  In 1988, Joe was appointed to the UAW International staff by 
President Owen Bieber and assigned to the National Ford Department. In 
1999, Joe was appointed assistant director of Region 1 under Director 
Kenneth Terry. Joe served as assistant Director of Region 1 until 2005, 
when he was elected Director in a special election.
  Joe has spent his career in support of civil rights and his 
community. Joe is a lifelong member of the NAACP, a member of the Troy 
Elks club, and a strong grassroots political leader. Joe has won 
numerous awards for his community activism including: Civil Rights 
Lifetime Achievement, ARC Detroit Legacy Award, Veterans Michigan Stand 
Down, and the UAW Region 1 Women's Council Circle of Excellence award. 
Moved by the increasingly difficult economic times facing Michigan 
families, Joe started the ``No Child Without Christmas'' foundation in 
2004. His foundation brings together a broad spectrum of community 
leaders to provide clothing, food, and gifts for thousands of homeless 
and abused children during the holiday season each year. Joe's 
commitment to his community has been his personal as well as his 
professional legacy.
  Joe has spent his career in service of others, his UAW brothers and 
sisters, his community, and most importantly, his large and growing 
family. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor 
Mr. Joe Peters for his many contributions to our community and his 
leadership at the United Auto Workers Union. I wish him many more years 
of health, happiness, and productive service.

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