[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1192-E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING RON GETTELFINGER FOR HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE UAW

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor Ron Gettelfinger for 
his years of service leading the United Auto Workers.
  Mr. Gettelfinger spent his entire career in the car business; his 
first job was at Ford's truck plant in Louisville, Ky. He has been part 
of the United Auto Workers since 1964 while he was working as a chassis 
line repairman. After working all day on the line, he went to school at 
night for a degree in business. While working on his degree, he made 
the decision that he would apply his education to helping his fellow 
workers with their daily problems while remaining close to the assembly 
line. Holding true to this philosophy, he advanced through the UAW 
organization, becoming president in 2002.
  His time as president came during some of the most difficult economic 
times in our Nation's history. As president, he has served as an 
effective partner to the major domestic automobile manufacturers during 
their restructuring. He steered the UAW through this catastrophic 
period and played an important role in saving the American car industry 
and the jobs of the workers in the UAW.
  During his presidency, Mr. Gettelfinger has fought for basic American 
values. He has labored to ensure that workers receive a fair

[[Page E1193]]

share when they help a company prosper. He has championed the rights of 
workers to receive good health care if they get sick. He has worked to 
make sure that each worker receives a secure pension for their lifetime 
of loyal service.
  Thanks to the work of leaders like Ron and his predecessors, working 
people have come a long way--an eight-hour work day, pensions, safer 
job conditions, and health benefits.
  Most notably, Ron Gettelfinger has been known for his outspoken 
advocacy to make health care accessible and affordable for every woman, 
man, and child in the United States. I agree with him on this goal and 
long have supported universal health coverage. I am pleased that this 
year Congress has passed into law health reform legislation that 
provides secure coverage to almost all Americans and gives workers more 
control over their health care.
  I again congratulate Mr. Gettelfinger on his retirement and thank him 
again for his service.

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