[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LEGACY OF ALAN REUTHER, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED 
                              AUTO WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2010

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, after thirty-three years of dedicated 
service, Alan Reuther is retiring from his position as legislative 
director with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and 
Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW. As legislative 
director, he has been responsible for supervising all aspects of the 
UAW's legislative program, including development of issues, 
presentation of testimony, lobbying Members of Congress, and grassroots 
organizing.
  During his tenure at the UAW, Alan championed significant legislative 
accomplishments, including: saving civil legal services for the poor, 
which were slated for elimination under the Gingrich ``Contract for 
America''; the enactment of minimum wage increases in 1996 and again in 
2007; halting efforts by the Bush Administration and Congressional 
Republicans to privatize Social Security; the enactment of the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, in 1997 and its expansion 
in 2009; the enactment of compromise Corporate Average Fuel Economy 
legislation in 2007 that included the Section 136 program to fund 
investment in U.S. production of advanced technology vehicles; fending 
off repeated attempts by the Bush Administration to erode the 
protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act; the enactment of the Lilly 
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 and hate crimes prevention legislation; 
the enactment of federal extended unemployment benefits in economic 
recessions; and finally, the enactment of both the stimulus provisions 
of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and health care 
reform.
  As chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, I know first-hand 
the significance of Alan's accomplishments on behalf of the American 
worker. Just to use one recent example, my Subcommittee held the 
legislative hearing on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This was the 
first piece of legislation that President Obama signed into law after 
he took office, and it is a significant step in the fight to achieve 
equal pay between men and women. In addition, tireless work in the 
passage of health care reform cannot be understated. Congratulations, 
Alan, and thank you for your contributions to the public good. You will 
be missed--that's for sure.

                          ____________________