[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 33 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MR. AL H. CHESSER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2014

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
birthday of Al H. Chesser, President Emeritus of the United 
Transportation Union, a lifetime advocate for his brothers and sisters 
in labor, and my dear and wonderful friend.
  I've had the blessing of working with Al for decades as he advocated 
and fought for the rights of countless workers throughout his career. 
His knowledge of the needs of our nation's workers and our labor laws, 
as well as his experience in the often delicate workings of Congress 
and our legislative process, made Al one of the most respected and 
relied-on leaders of the labor movement.
  He began his work life in 1935, becoming a clerk at a Kroger grocery 
store in Kansas. He then went on to represent the Trainmen and then 
UTU, and served as a Vice President of the AFL-CIO's executive council, 
as well as Chairman of their Constitution Committee. Hard work and long 
hours have followed Al since that first grocery store clerk job, and--
through his dedication--our workplaces are safer and work quality has 
improved. He has spent his life making the rights and best interests of 
others his own, and to this day the lasting mark he's left on each and 
every worker and legislator he has encountered remains. I am proud to 
consider Al to be one of the most honorable and fine men I have had the 
blessing to work with, whether we were taking time just to speak as 
friends or working together to solve a rail strike.
  I'm proud to recognize my dear friend Al Chesser as he is joined by 
friends and family in celebrating his 100 years of life on March 1, 
2014, and I look forward to many more years of friendship.

                          ____________________