[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E613-E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE SERVICE OF THOMAS L. ROTELLA, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and 
retirement of Thomas L. Rotella, Jr. for his outstanding years of 
service in the Central Valley. Tom's 43 years of dedication and 
achievements deserves to be commended.
  Tom's contributions to Fresno County began in his high school years 
while attending Roosevelt High School. During this time, Tom was 
elected into Youth Council of the Fresno City Economic Opportunities 
Commission. After a year, Mayor Ted Wills appointed him as Chairperson 
for the Fresno City Youth Commission; which he served as for two years 
from 1973 to 1975. Tom also sat on the Fresno Community Development 
Commission for three years from 1973 to 1976.
  Tom graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1974 and began attending 
evening classes at Fresno City College and throughout his educational 
lifetime, received 900 Hours of Labor Training at the William W. 
Winipisinger Educations and Technology Center. In 1976, he set foot on 
the path of his career by becoming a lot boy for Mid-Cal Ford Truck. 
Shortly afterward, he was given the opportunity of the Apprenticeship 
Program. In 1984, Tom completed the program as a Journeyman Mechanic 
and obtained three Masters in National Automotive Service of Excellence 
for Heavy Duty, Light Duty, and Automotive. He earned the position of 
Union Shop Steward, and was titled Assistant Service Manager for his 
last three years at Mid-Cal Ford Truck. He also held a California Smog 
License, as well as Brake, Lamp, and Air Conditioning Licenses.
  In 1976, he joined the International Association of Machinists and 
Aerospace Workers (IAMAW). During his years with IAMAW, Tom's 
accomplishments included becoming the Recording Secretary for IAMAW 
Local 1309 and Vice-President of IAMAW District 87. Since 1990, Tom has 
served for twenty-five years as a Business Representative and 
President/Directing Business Representative for IAMAW Local 653 and 
Business Representative for IAMAW District 190, and has been the 
President of the California Conference of Machinists for the past 
fifteen years. TOM also participated as the Lead Negotiator in 
coordinating bargaining for the Building Trades with Fresno Unified 
School District as well as coordinating bargaining with Sun-Maid 
Growers for the International Association of Machinists, the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International 
Union of Operating Engineers.
  In addition to his already lengthy resume, Tom has partook with the 
Machinists Non-Partisan Political League Planning Committee and was the 
past Vice President and current delegate to the Fresno, Madera, Tulare 
and Kings Counties Central Labor Council. He served on the Civil 
Service Commission for Fresno County for nine years as a Business 
Representative, and the Automotive and Machinists Joint Apprenticeship 
Committee for thirty years since completing his apprenticeship in 1984, 
serving as Chairman of the committee for the last twenty-five years. As 
a part of the Apprenticeship Committee, Tom was a participant and an 
asset to the Trade Advisory Council for Chowchilla Women's Facility, 
Corcoran's Men Facility and Tehachapi Prison.
  Tom has been happily married for thirty-six years to his wife, 
Barbara, and has been the proud father of three daughters and 
grandfather of five grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the exemplary career of Thomas Rotella Jr., and 
to wish him the best of luck and satisfaction in his retirement and 
future endeavors.

[[Page E614]]



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