[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING DONALD OETMAN ON HIS RETIREMENT

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Donald Oetman of 
Allegan as he retires from the International Union UAW after 45 years 
of loyal and dedicated service as a member and officer of the United 
Auto Workers. Since 2002, Don has served as director of UAW Region 1D, 
a vast district covering 62 counties that spans western, central and 
northern regions of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. During his 
service he has been a committed and enthusiastic voice for the working 
men and women and retirees of UAW Region 1D.
  In 1963, shortly after graduating high school, Don went to work at 
Micromatic Textron in Holland, Michigan. Two years later, Don served as 
a member on the committee of plant workers that came together to form 
their own UAW local union--UAW Local 1502. Not only did these union 
supporters win the organizing drive, they also successfully negotiated 
the first contract with management.
  Don quickly rose within the UAW when he was asked to serve as vice 
president of the newly formed UAW Local 1502, becoming president in 
1967. Don was also chosen as bargaining chairperson of his local, in 
addition to his duties as president. He served in these capacities 
until 1984 when he was appointed by UAW President Owen Bieber and 
Director Robert Fliearman to the International Union UAW staff as a 
service representative of the Region 1D staff. Don went on to serve as 
assistant director to the 1D region from 1995-2002 and was elected 
director of Region 1D in 2002, and re-elected in 2006.
  From the beginning, Don has understood the importance of community 
and has been active throughout the labor community and his community in 
West Michigan. He has served on the board of directors for several 
community organizations, including the Michigan Association of United 
Ways, the Red Cross, and the Michigan State University Labor Studies 
program. He also serves on the Muskegon and Kalamazoo Labor/Management 
Joint Participation Committees, the Workforce Development Board for 
Allegan and Kent Counties, the Coalition for Labor Union Women, and was 
a Local Union Discussion Leader for the Stewards/Committeemen training 
and for high school labor studies classes.
  It is indicative of Don's big heart and giving nature that when he 
looks back over the past 45 years, he considers his greatest 
accomplishment as having served so many UAW members, retirees and their 
families. He was especially fond of telling the stories of the UAW in 
days past to the young staff he worked with, and in sharing this 
history Don has helped to pass his knowledge and enthusiasm onto the 
next generation of UAW leaders. For Don, it truly is the people within 
the UAW family that have made his many years with the UAW so rewarding.
  While he is closing one chapter in his life, Don is looking forward 
to another that includes being at home with his wife Corlyn and helping 
with the yard work, spending more time with his three children and his 
grandchildren, enjoying a few more rounds of golf, and doing some 
fishing. He will also stay active in his church and the Allegan 
Democratic Party.
  Madam Speaker, Don has made a lifetime of contributions to organized 
labor and his community, looking out for the best interests of workers 
across Michigan. He has exceeded the call to service in his 
professional and personal life, demonstrating leadership by example for 
generations of UAW members. Therefore Madam Speaker, I ask that you, 
and all of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, join me 
in honoring UAW Region 1D Director Donald Oetman and congratulating him 
on his retirement from International Union UAW.

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