[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 26 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JIM CAVANAUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2012

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
achievements of Mr. Jim Cavanaugh, President of the South Central 
Federation of Labor (SCFL), as he retires from his esteemed position 
after 25 years of service.
  For the past three decades, Jim Cavanaugh has guided the local 
progressive labor movement with an unwavering hand. Jim's tenure is 
underscored with victories, such as the strike for sick pay against 
Aramark Laundry in 1999, and his place in labor's history was 
solidified this month one year ago, when he worked tirelessly to help 
unite hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites in solidarity against the 
repeal of collective bargaining rights. His ability to rise above petty 
disputes and remain focused on the task at hand resulted in a 
tremendously successful career.
  As President of SCFL, an organization for labor unions in Dane, 
Dodge, Sauk, Columbia, Jefferson and Iowa counties that represents over 
100 labor organizations and more than 45,000 workers, Jim helped bring 
the struggles of Midwest workers to the forefront of political 
discussions. Jim recognized the importance of advocating on behalf of 
all workers and, in 2001, SCFL was recognized as one of the first 
fourteen central labor councils in the nation to fully achieve the 
goals of the AFL-CIO Union City program. As a member of the Union City 
program, SCFL advocates on behalf of both unionized and non-unionized 
workers to make our community one that provides a living wage and good 
benefits. Jim also helped expand the role of SCFL by forging new 
partnerships with existing labor groups like Madison Teachers Inc. 
(MTI) and reaching out to underserved counties.
  Jim cherishes the value of education and understands the need for a 
highly educated workforce. To help bridge the gap between labor and 
education, Jim began a vital relationship with the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison's Student Labor Action Coalition (SLAC). For fifteen 
years, Jim also served on Madison College's (MATC) board in various 
capacities and was even nominated for the statewide Board Member of the 
Year award in 2008. Jim always recognized that a better educated 
workforce and community was directly correlated to a strong labor 
movement.
  Furthermore, Jim worked to strengthen the local labor community by 
emphasizing the importance of building labor's diversity. In 1999, Jim 
began outreach to a plethora of faith-based communities which 
eventually led to the creation of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker 
Justice (ICWJ). And as an early and staunch supporter of the immigrant 
worker movement, Jim successfully organized and fought back after two 
dozen Latino custodians were fired over questions related to their 
immigration status, helping to secure a significant settlement for the 
workers.
  From advocating for an increased minimum wage to organizing and 
mobilizing union voters, it is nearly impossible to mention everything 
Jim has accomplished in the past 25 years; it is even harder to 
overstate the positive impact he has had on our community. It is 
without a doubt that Jim's work has bettered the lives of countless 
workers in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and across our great nation. Today, 
we join together in solidarity to honor Mr. Jim Cavanaugh for his 25 
years of fearless leadership of the South Central Federation of Labor. 
May Jim's unwavering dedication, vision, and lifelong commitment to 
worker's rights serve as an inspiration for all of us.

                          ____________________