[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 97 (Friday, June 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
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. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 
tremendous leadership of the outgoing President of the International 
Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers 
of America, Ron Gettelfinger.
  Ron is a recognized leader and advocate for the rights and dignity of 
working Americans everywhere.
  Ron began his association with the UAW in 1964, where he was a 
chassis line repairman at Ford's Louisville Assembly plant. It was on 
the assembly line that Ron won the support of his colleagues, who 
elected him to be their representative--first as a committeeperson, 
then as a bargaining chairperson and president, and later as a delegate 
to the National Ford Council and Sub-Council #2.
  In 1992, Ron served as Director of UAW Region 3, which covers the 
States of Indiana and Kentucky. Six years later, Ron was elected a UAW 
Vice President. As Vice President, Ron was director of the UAW 
Aerospace Department and the UAW Ford Department, where he led 
negotiations in 1999 that focused on ``Bargaining for Families.''
  Since 2002, Ron has serviced as president. As the head of the union, 
Ron has had to navigate the UAW through difficult times in the 
automotive industry. He was instrumental in working with the then 
newly-elected Obama Administration, Chrysler and General Motors in 
keeping two of the Big Three afloat while also negotiating for the 
rights and concerns of autoworkers.
  During his 8-year tenure as President of the UAW, Ron was a pragmatic 
visionary, who in 2006 called for a ``Marshall Plan'' to renew 
America's industrial base through incentives to promote manufacturing 
of energy-saving advanced technological vehicles and their key 
components in the United States. Ron has also led the UAW's fight for 
improving workers' rights and environmental provisions in bi- and 
multilateral trade agreements. In our nation's recent debate on health 
care reform, Ron was an outspoken advocate for accessible and 
affordable health care coverage for all Americans.
  Today, Ron is seen as a statesman in organized labor. He provided 
tremendous leadership during a time of crisis. Due to much of his hard 
work and dedication, there is renewed hope that our country may be at 
the dawn of a renaissance in the automobile industry. From January to 
May of 2010, automobile sales at General Motors were up 14 percent. 
Over the same period of time, sales were increased 8 percent for 
Chrysler.
  As Ron returns home to his wife, Judy, his two children and four 
grandchildren, I just want to thank him for his vision and support for 
working families and working Americans.
  I want to commend Chairman Emeritus Dingell for bringing up this 
special order.

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