[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 48 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE MEMORY AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF RONNIE RASPBERRY OF 
                             HOUSTON, TEXAS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
the greatest labor leaders that I have known and to honor the memory 
and mourn the loss of Ronnie Raspberry of Houston, Texas. I rise to pay 
tribute to him as a champion of working people, one of the great 
community leaders in the cities of Houston and Harris in Texas.
  Unfortunately, he passed. In this month of April, we lost a dear 
friend. Ronnie Raspberry was born in 1941 in the midst of the times of 
challenge. And he married his beloved wife, Roycie, and they are proud 
parents of five children.
  Being born in the midst of World War II, he understood as a child the 
value of service, and so he joined the United States Marine Corps and 
was honorably discharged.
  He then began to work in an apprenticeship program under the Houston 
Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical 
Industry. He then became a member of Local Union No. 716 of the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, where I first met him. 
What a generous heart; what a man who loved people. He loved to train 
people. He was a fighter to ensure that there was dignity in the 
workplace.
  In 1974, at age 32, he was elected as business manager. He held that 
position for 15 years. During his stewardship, he served as its chief 
contract negotiator, chairman, and secretary of numerous boards and 
trusts and committees. He continued to represent labor at labor 
conferences. He was elected and served 5 years as a representative of 
the Sixth District International Executive Council.
  Ronnie was awarded the West Gulf Ports Council ``Labor Leader of the 
Year,'' Mr. Speaker, and appointed to many other positions by Governor 
White. We knew he was a good leader.
  So I stand here today to offer my deepest sympathy to his wife and 
family and to thank him for his service as he rests in peace. We love 
you. We thank you for being the great leader that you've been to all 
those who are in need, fighting for the working people. Thank you, 
Ronnie. God bless you. And, again, may you rest in peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Ronnie Raspberry, a great 
American, a champion of working people, and one of the great community 
leaders in the City of Houston. Ronnie Raspberry died this past Monday, 
April 8, 2013, at the age of 71. His loss is mourned not only by his 
family and friends but the thousands of people he helped and inspired 
over the course of his full and eventful life.
  Born on August 14, 1941, Ronnie Raspberry later met and married his 
beloved wife, Roycie, and they were the proud parents of five children.
  After serving and receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United 
States Marine Corps, Ronnie applied for and was accepted into a 4-year 
Apprenticeship Program under the Houston Joint Apprenticeship and 
Training Committee for the Electrical Industry.
  After completing his first of apprenticeship training, Ronnie became 
a member of Local Union #716 of the International Brotherhood of 
Electrical Workers. Ronnie served on every committee his local union, 
IBEW Local #716, would allow.
  Ronnie completed his apprenticeship, graduating with honor. He then 
ran for and was elected to a number of Board positions in his Local 
Union.
  In 1974, at the age of 32, he was elected as Business Manager of IBEW 
Local Union #716. He held this position for 15 years.
  During Ronnie's stewardship of Local Union No. 716, he served as its 
Chief Contract Negotiator, and as both Chairman and/or Secretary of 
numerous Boards, Trusts, and Committees, as well as all other 
responsibilities that go with being Business Manager. He continued to 
represent labor at Labor Conferences and Conventions, as well as 
Political Conferences and Conventions.
  Ronnie was elected and served 5 years as representative to the Sixth 
District International Executive Council of the International 
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers representing the IBEW members from 
Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
  In 1986, Ronnie was awarded the West Gulf Ports Council ``Labor 
Leader of the Year'' Award. Ronnie also appointed by then Governor Mark 
White, to serve on the Management Task Force for the Texas State 
Treasurer, Ann Richards. He later was appointed by Governor Ann 
Richards as a Commissioner on the Texas State Licensing and Regulation 
Commission, a position he held for six years.
  Ronnie served as the Executive Secretary of the Houston Gulf Coast 
Building and Construction Trades Council until December 2012 when he 
finished his term. He then joined the high respected law firm of 
Williams Bailey, now Williams Kherkher, of Houston, Texas, serving as 
Labor Relations Officer, a position he held until he passed away 
earlier this week.
  Mr. Speaker, Ronnie Raspberry lived a full and consequential life and 
he will be deeply missed by all who knew him as a friend, colleague, 
advocate, and community leader. Most of all he will be missed by his 
relatives and his children who knew and loved him as Dad; his loving 
wife, Roycie.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask a moment of silence in honor of the memory of 
Ronnie Raspberry.

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