[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE OCCASION OF PHILLIP THOMPSON'S RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE VICE 
                      PRESIDENT OF SEIU LOCAL 517M

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Phil 
Thompson, the Executive Vice President of the Service Employees 
International Union (SEIU) Local 517M on the occasion of his 
retirement. For over 30 years, Phil has been an important leader in the 
SEIU, working to ensure that the rights of workers are respected.
  True to the form of a leader and advocate, Phil is passionate about 
fighting for the rights of those he represents, whether it was his 
constituents when he was Shiawassee County Commissioner or the Michigan 
public employees he works for every day in his current role. It is no 
surprise, given his spirit for serving and protecting others, that 
prior to his time with Local 517M, Phil had been planning to go to law 
school. Instead, as often happens to those with the drive to serve, 
Phil fulfilled his passion as a voice protecting the rights of others. 
Having arrived at Local 517M in April 1981 as a staff representative, 
Phil quickly ascended to become the branch's Executive Director in 
1986.
  What was originally supposed to be only a part-time job quickly 
became Phil's central work. As a leader for the SEIU in Michigan, Phil 
took it upon himself to represent the members of Local 517M at every 
collective bargaining session since he became Director in 1986. Phil 
strongly believes that communication between the unions and their 
members and unions and their communities is essential to ensuring that 
all workers have their rights protected. Phil has strived to keep his 
members connected to their local through strengthening member services.
  Like so many who are thrust into positions of leadership by their 
peers, Phil has never forgotten his brothers and sisters who put him 
there. He strongly believes that it has been an honor to work with so 
many talented and dedicated union and staff members.
  In recognition of his exceptional leadership skills and his 
effectiveness, Phil's peers have consistently given him increased 
responsibilities that extend beyond Local 517M. He has been elected to 
SEIU's International Executive Board three times between 2000 and 2008, 
where he is finishing up his current term as Vice President. Between 
2002 and 2010 he served as President of Michigan's SEIU State Council 
and currently serves as its Treasurer. Phil is constantly sought to be 
a voice for professionals in State government, by news agencies and was 
recently awarded the 2012 Michigan Labor Press Award for his 
contributions which have supported the growth of the labor movement.
  Mr. Speaker, Phil has spent his life working to strengthen the labor 
movement, which in Michigan and around the world has secured and 
protected important rights for all workers. His dedication and passion 
have benefited so many and I know that his colleagues and fellow SEIU 
members will surely miss him, his insights and his experience. I know 
that as a voice for fairness, even in retirement, he will continue to 
fight for the rights of workers and I wish him many happy and 
productive years to come.

                          ____________________