[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1200]
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. BETTY SUTTON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, thank you, Representative Dingell and thank 
you for organizing this special order hour to honor Ron Gettelfinger.
  I rise today to honor Ron Gettelfinger as he retires from the United 
Auto Workers where he has served for the last eight years as President.
  Thank you President Gettelfinger for your service--not only to your 
membership but to our Nation.
  You have made a difference and you have made our Nation a stronger 
and a better place.
  Your efforts have strengthened the middle class.
  In 1964, Ron Gettelfinger became a member of UAW Local 862.
  He worked as a chassis line repairman and was elected by the workers 
at Ford's Louisville Assembly plant to represent them.
  Ron served as Director of UAW Region 3, which includes Indiana and 
Kentucky . . .
  Ron exemplified what it means to be a leader.
  Through his leadership, the UAW has navigated the difficult waters of 
the financial collapse in 2008 and the current recession.
  And as unfair trade deals have devastated U.S. manufacturing jobs, 
Ron Gettelfinger stood strong in the fight for a new approach to trade.
  Fair trade that works with our workers and businesses, not against 
them.
  Ron Gettelfinger has called for fair trade agreements that include 
workers' rights and environmental provisions.
  And Ron Gettelfinger has called for the so-called Free Trade 
Agreement with South Korea to be renegotiated.
  This Bush-negotiated trade agreement would allow unfair advantages 
for Korean automakers to persist.
  In 2009, our trade deficit with South Korea in autos was $7.8 
billion.
  Korean automakers control 95 percent of their domestic auto market.
  And Ron Gettelfinger led the charge for reciprocity of market access, 
calling on Korea to open their market.
  Ron knows, as we know, that our workers are the very best in the 
world and can compete on a level-playing field.
  Ron negotiated deals for working families and our trade 
representative must also negotiate good deals with our working families 
in mind.
  Because of Ron's leadership during his eight years as President and 
his service to UAW members since 1964, I am proud to represent 8,700 
active and retired UAW members in my Congressional District.
  In Ohio, we have at least 111,000 active and retired UAW members.
  Thank you again Ron for your outstanding service to the UAW, to 
American manufacturing, and to our Nation.

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