[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAMES R. LEAMAN

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
James R. Leaman, retiring President of the Virginia AFL-CIO, for his 
leadership and service to union members and working families across the 
Commonwealth.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Jim Leaman has strived to 
protect the health, safety, and quality of life for all of Virginia's 
workers. Whether they were white collar or blue collar, industrial or 
agricultural, public sector or private sector workers, Jim Leaman 
fought for them all.
  Jim Leaman dedicated his life to ensuring Virginia's working men and 
women received a fair wage, had access to affordable health care, and 
worked in a safe environment.
  He carried the banner of Virginia's working families to the halls of 
Virginia's General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, to the counties, cities 
and towns of the Commonwealth, and within Virginia's Democratic Party.
  Throughout his many years of service to the AFL-CIO and Virginia's 
workers, Jim Leaman never wavered from his principles. He was, and is, 
a steadfast advocate for fairness, equality, and justice for all 
Virginians.
  Jim Leaman was a true public policy advocate. Along with his work to 
protect the interests of Virginia workers, he also pushed broader 
issues that affected the lives of all Virginian's, such as opposition 
to the usurious rates charged by payday lenders to those who could 
least afford such costs.
  As a result of his efforts and leadership on non-partisan voter 
registration campaigns, thousands of Virginians became voters and 
participated in our democratic process.
  Prior to his four-year tenure as President, Jim Leaman served as 
Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia AFL-CIO from 1990 to his election 
as President in 2006. He was a proud 35-year member of the 
Communications Workers of America and is currently a member of the Iron 
Workers. Jim has advised several Virginia governors and other elected 
leaders and has served on boards and commissions dealing with labor and 
employment issues in the Commonwealth.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the 
accomplishments and distinguished career of my friend and one of 
Virginia's great labor leaders, Jim Leaman. I thank him for his service 
and wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

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