[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E607-E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF WILLIAM A. NACK

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor William A. Nack for a life 
and career dedicated to hard work, justice and integrity. Bill Nack 
recently retired as the head of the Building and Construction Trades 
Council of San Mateo County, AFL-CIO after a long and successful career 
in union construction.
  Bill left his mark all over the San Francisco Peninsula. Even people 
who don't know him see the results of his work every day. Some of the 
most prominent buildings in the county were developed during his 
tenure, including SFO, Mills Peninsula Hospital, Sequoia Hospital, Palo 
Alto Medical Center, Bay Meadows, San Mateo Public Library, San Mateo 
Union High School District, San Mateo Community College District, 
Millbrae BART Transit Village, Crossings in San Bruno, Redwood City 
Redevelopment, Brisbane Baylands Development, Genentech, Gilead and 
Facebook.
  Even this breathtaking list is not complete. Bill negotiated a total 
of 45 Project Labor Agreements and Letters of Commitment representing 
more than $16 billion of construction projects. For the last 16 years, 
he worked with developers, environmentalists, contractors and 
neighborhood groups advocating for environmentally responsible 
projects, good union wages and safe working conditions.
  Bill was born in St. Louis, raised in San Francisco, and has lived on 
the Peninsula for the last 50 years. In 1966, he was hired by

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United Airlines as an Aircraft Jet Engine Mechanic in Journeyman 
status. The following year he started his service in the U.S. Naval 
Reserve which he continued for six years, ably serving his country. 
While working for United, he earned an Associate Degree in Aeronautics 
and began his remarkable union career with Machinist Local Lodge 1781. 
He was the Union Shop Steward for 15 years fighting for the rights of 
his coworkers. He was elected to the Local's Executive Board, IAM 
Legislative Committee, and the Building Corporation. Bill was one of 
the people who founded a highly effective coalition between the 
machinists, flight attendants and pilots.
  In 1987, Bill became the Assistant Business Manager for the Santa 
Clara and San Benito counties Central Labor Council. He developed and 
implemented a public policy program for 100 affiliated unions.
  In 1989, he became Deputy Executive Officer for the Santa Clara and 
San Benito Building and Construction Trades Council where he was 
responsible for public policy, corporate research, and the monitoring 
of construction contractors and projects. Within a year, he was tapped 
for the top position at the Building and Construction Trades Council of 
San Mateo County and became Business Manager/Executive Officer. He was 
ideally qualified to advocate for environmentally and socially 
responsible projects utilizing top-quality labor, materials and 
construction methods. He led a vibrant council of 26 unions and 14,000 
justifiably proud, middle-class workers.
  In addition to his impressive achievements at the council, Bill is a 
man of enormous compassion and empathy, a fact demonstrated by his 
extensive community engagement. He serves on a long list of boards, 
including the Boy Scouts of America, United Way, Rebuilding Together, 
the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Advisory Council, the 
Metropolitan Transportation Commission Advisory Council, and the San 
Mateo County Housing Leadership Council. Bill is passionate about 
housing people, recognizing that the dignity of a person is nurtured by 
housing. It is sometimes said of a generous person that he would give 
someone the shirt off his back. Bill Nack has likely done that many 
times, and in addition he's directly and indirectly helped to place a 
roof over the heads of tens of thousands of people.
  Bill was also appointed by the Governor to the Bay Conservation and 
Development Commission and to the Board of Directors of the Cow Palace.
  As you may surmise from the diversity of issues that Bill is engaged 
in, he cares deeply about helping others and improving the quality of 
life for everyone. I can say without hesitation that his heart is in 
the right place and he gives of himself generously and freely. He is a 
devoted husband to Rayna Lehman, another great labor leader in San 
Mateo County. They raised two wonderful sons, Patrick and Benjamin, 
their most important life achievements.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor my friend and colleague of over 30 years William A. Nack on the 
occasion of his retirement as the leader of the Building and 
Construction Trades Council of San Mateo County. He leaves behind an 
impressive legacy of construction projects, compassion, and a ready 
smile that welcomes every honest man or woman to work with him in 
pursuit of a better America.

                          ____________________