[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1194]
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. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, Ron Gettelfinger, one of this nation's 
great labor leaders, retired this year as President of the United Auto 
Workers. We will sorely miss him.
  Born in 1944, Ron has a long distinguished history with the United 
Auto Workers, starting when he went to work at Ford Motor's Louisville, 
Kentucky, assembly plant as a chassis line repairman. Because of his 
dedicated advocacy for the rights of his fellow workers, he quickly 
ascended the ranks of the UAW. In 1984, he was elected president of his 
local union, and, in 1987, he became a member of the Ford-UAW 
Bargaining Committee. He held several other positions before being 
elected the union's vice-president in 1998, and then of course its 
president.
  Ron has been a leading advocate of single-payer health care, and was 
a key player in the health reform process. In addition, Ron has worked 
tirelessly for investment in American manufacturing and for fair-trade 
agreements with strong workers' rights provisions. Just last year, in 
Detroit, he received the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year 
Award for his significant contributions to the community.
  As Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, I know first-hand 
the significance of Ron's accomplishments on behalf of America's 
working families. Congratulations, Ron, we honor you, and thank you for 
your contributions.

                          ____________________