[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S628-S629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO STAN ISRAEL

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an outstanding 
Rhode Islander, a Vietnam veteran, and champion of workers' rights and 
justice in the workplace who retired after 35 years of service--my 
friend, Stan Israel.
  After serving two tours in Vietnam, Stan began working for the 
Service Employees International Union, SEIU, in 1974, first as an 
organizer with Local 1199, covering New York and Long Island. Stan 
represented health employees in hospitals and nursing homes organizing 
employees around workplace safety and fair wages. Then, in 1983, after 
a short stay in neighboring Connecticut, Stan moved to Rhode Island to 
head the New England District of SEIU, where he recently retired as 
executive director.
  For nearly three decades, Stan led Rhode Island's second largest 
union, which represents hard-working health care employees at hospitals 
across my State and hundreds of nursing and community health centers as 
well. Stan is a man of principle, good judgment, and great character. 
Moreover, he has been an unmatched advocate for the social and economic 
concerns of those in greatest need.

[[Page S629]]

  Indeed, Stan's focus and dedication has always been geared towards 
improving patient care in our hospitals and nursing homes and 
preserving the collective voice of workers' rights. He demonstrated an 
extraordinary commitment to workers and their families, which extended 
to their safety and health on and off the job.
  Over the years, Stan organized the labor management committees at our 
hospitals to educate and train health care employees and worked to 
secure funding for training and professional growth programs. Moreover, 
Stan helped craft the Rhode Island Safe Patient Handling Act, a State 
law that has helped reduce the number of injuries suffered by patients 
and caretakers in health care facilities. And, after many years of 
Stan's efforts and activism, another bill was signed into Rhode Island 
law preventing hospitals from forcing mandatory overtime for nurses and 
nurse's aides, except in the case of emergencies.
  But these are only a handful of Stan's achievements. And while these 
accomplishments came with great sacrifice and setbacks, Stan never quit 
and never stopped fighting to elevate the dignity and value of workers.
  Stan's career represents a lifetime of distinguished service to his 
country, his State, and above all his members.
  Now, after a well-deserved retirement, congratulations and thank you. 
I wish you and your wife, Cynthia, your children, Caitlin and John, the 
very best in all your future endeavors.

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