[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO MYKE REID

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Myke 
Reid and commemorate his recent retirement from the American Postal 
Workers Union (APWU). Serving as Legislative Director of the APWU since 
2004, Mr. Reid has been a tireless advocate for our Nation's postal 
workers and the postal service. He has worked tirelessly benefitting 
countless numbers of my constituents and many others across the 
country.
  While Mr. Reid has spent many years in the halls of Congress, his 
life and career began much more humbly. After growing up in a blue-
collar family and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Norfolk 
State University, he began his postal career in 1976 as a clerk in 
Norfolk, Virginia. He became involved in the union right away, working 
his way up from newsletter editor, steward, local business agent, state 
legislative director and state president.
  In 1984, Mr. Reid came to Washington to work on a legislative 
campaign to protect Social Security. He never left. The next year, he 
was appointed as a Special Assistant to then-President Moe Biller, 
working on legislative matters. In 1992, he was selected to fill the 
newly created position of Assistant Legislative Director, which he held 
until being promoted to Legislative Director in 2004.
  Mr. Reid's career is replete with many legislative accomplishments. 
He played a major role in the enactment of the Family and Medical Leave 
Act; and reforms to the Hatch Act, the Federal Employees Retirement 
System Act, the Spouse Equity Act, the Postal Employees Safety 
Enhancement Act, and the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act. Postal 
workers have had no stronger advocate, and his successors have big 
shoes to fill.
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Reid has been 
active in the communities of Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. He 
has served on the Virginia Employment Commission Advisory Board, the 
Virginia Community College Board, the Alexandria Human Rights 
Commission, and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority 
Board. He has also been active in advocacy; serving on the boards of 
the National Consumers League and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan 
Washington. Mr. Reid's impact has been felt beyond our shores as well. 
He served as an international observer during the historic election of 
Nelson Mandela as President of the Republic of South Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in congratulating Mr. Myke 
Reid on this well-deserved retirement. I wish him good health and 
Godspeed.

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