[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RON GETTELFINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN A. BOCCIERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2010

  Mr. BOCCIERI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who served 
as a statesman for organized labor and the United Auto Workers, leading 
his brothers and sisters through some of the most difficult economic 
times facing our nation.
  While a chassis line repairman, Ron Gettelfinger became a member of 
the UAW in 1964. Since then, elected by his peers each time, he became 
Director, then Vice President and finally President of the UAW.
  Now, after serving two consecutive terms as President of the UAW, Ron 
Gettelfinger will retire from his tenure.
  Mr. Gettelfinger believed in fighting ``for something better'' and he 
achieved this during his 8 year term as President of the UAW in a 
multitude of ways.
  He championed the fight for fair trade agreements that contained 
strong labor protections and he stood up in support of clean energy 
issues.
  He fought to keep manufacturing jobs here in the United States by 
supporting domestic investments in advanced technology vehicles.
  And as a steadfast advocate for the American worker, he strongly 
supported accessible and affordable healthcare for everyone.
  I thank Ron Gettelfinger for his service to our great country and the 
UAW as a voice for the ordinary, hard working American.

                          ____________________