[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF KEVIN L. COTTER OF QUINCY, MA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2014

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Kevin L. Cotter in 
recognition of his outstanding contributions to the United States' 
labor movement and to his hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts.
  The son of Edward and June Cotter, Kevin was born on October 15, 
1948, in Somerville, Massachusetts. Kevin attended St. Catherine's 
Grammar School in Somerville, and then went on to Sacred Heart High 
School in East Cambridge until it closed in 1965. Kevin then completed 
his schooling at Somerville High School, graduating in 1966.
  Upon his graduation, Kevin applied to Plumbers' Union Local 12, where 
he was sworn in on October 24, 1966. He served a five-year 
apprenticeship and became an active Journeyman member of Local 12 in 
1971. Since then, Kevin has held several appointed and elected 
positions throughout his career: 1973, elected to Local 12's Examining 
board, 1976, elected as a trustee to the Pension Annuity, Health, and 
Welfare Funds, 1982, served as President of the Labor Guild of the 
Archdiocese of Boston, 1985, elected Business Manager of Local 12. He 
was re-elected as Business Manager of Local 12 in 1997.
  Further, Kevin held positions in addition to his responsibilities at 
Local 12 including: President of the Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of 
Boston in 1983, appointment to the Board of Directors of Massachusetts 
Industrial Finance Agency by Governor Michael Dukakis in 1986, 
Marketing Officer for Custody Services to Union, Taft-Hartley Benefit 
Funds at State Street Bank, appointment to Board of Directors of the 
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino 
in 2002, and Commissioner of the Quincy Housing Authority in 2002. 
Kevin was also elected as a delegate to the United Association National 
Convention in 1976, 1981, 1986, 2001, 2006, and 2011, in addition to 
serving on dozens of national and local labor related boards, 
committees, and councils.
  Recognizing his good work, several organizations have honored Kevin 
throughout the years. In 1991, he was the recipient of the Daniel J. 
Tobin award from the New England Chapter of the Irish American 
Coalition. In 2000, he received the Jewish National Fund ``Tree of 
Life'' Award. In 2004, he was the labor recipient of the ``Cushing 
Gavin Award'' from the Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston for 
excellence in Labor Relations. Additionally, in 2007 he was selected 
for the ``Gompers, Murray, Meaney Award'' by the MA AFL-CIO.
  Mr. Speaker, Kevin is known for his integrity, loyalty, and his quick 
sense of humor. He has had the good fortune of being married to Betty 
for forty-two years; they are the proud parents to three children: 
Lisa, Colleen, and Kevin, and grandparents to four grandchildren: 
Isabelle, Gianna, Gabrielle, and Cecilia. I thank Kevin for his 
leadership and his service.

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