[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E845-E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MR. LEON LYNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and profound 
respect that I take this time to remember one of Northwest Indiana's 
most valued citizens, and a true champion of workers' rights, Mr. Leon 
Lynch. Mr. Lynch dedicated his life to serving the needs of the United 
Steelworkers (USW), and he was tremendously successful in his efforts 
to improve the quality of life for workers in Northwest Indiana and 
across the nation. Mr. Lynch passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012, but 
his legacy will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of the 
many people whose lives he touched.
  Throughout his extraordinary career, Leon Lynch accomplished many 
visionary goals. In 1956, he joined USW Local 1011 while working at the 
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company mill in East Chicago, Indiana. Over the 
years, Mr. Lynch served in many capacities, and because of his strong 
leadership skills and willingness to take initiative, his career 
continued to flourish. In 1968, he was named a USW staff representative 
and later became an international representative. In 1976, Leon was 
appointed the International Vice President of Human Affairs for the 
USW, making him the first African American to serve as a vice president 
for a major labor union, and he was re-elected to this position a 
remarkable six times. Recognizing the impact he had on behalf of his 
union membership, Leon was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the 
Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation in 1994 and to the Air 
Traffic Service Board of the Federal Aviation Administration in 2000. 
In 1995, Mr. Lynch was elected to serve as a member of the American 
Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL CIO) 
Executive Council.
  Mr. Lynch retired from his position as the International Vice 
President of Human Affairs for the USW in 2006. He is remembered as a 
great leader who will leave a lasting impact on generations of union 
workers to come. In 2005, having recognized the tremendous 
contributions he made to its members, USW Local 1011 dedicated its 
career development facility, the Leon Lynch Learning Center, in his 
honor. This outstanding facility offers guidance for steelworkers to 
prepare for employment opportunities.
  Mr. Lynch also gave much of his time to many organizations and 
committees throughout his life. Leon was a member of the Democratic 
National Committee, the Labor Roundtable of the National Black Caucus 
of State Legislators, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the National 
Endowment for Democracy, and the Workers Defense League.
  Leon leaves behind a loving family. He is survived by his wife, Doris 
Tindal-Lynch; his adoring daughters: Tina, Tammy, Sheila, and Maxine; 
and five beloved grandchildren. He also leaves to cherish his memory 
many dear friends and family members, as well as a saddened but 
grateful community and nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in remembering the great life of Mr. Leon Lynch. His 
remarkable contributions to the Labor Movement, both locally and across 
the nation,

[[Page E846]]

are most worthy of our admiration. His life of service is to be 
commended, and his legacy serves as an inspiration to us all.

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