[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN MATTHEWS

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                            HON. MARK POCAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a 
respected advocate and relentless fighter for public education in my 
district. For nearly half a century, John Matthews has been at the helm 
of Madison Teachers Inc. (MTI), steering the union through such 
volatile events as the 1976 teachers' strike, the recent public 
uprising against Act 10 and everything in between.
  It is a testament to John's work and what his union has continually 
done for them that in November, Madison teachers voted overwhelmingly 
to recertify their union.
  Today, when a pregnant teacher does not have to resign her job as her 
pregnancy begins to show--something she once had to do in Wisconsin--
she can credit John, who successfully fought that policy all the way to 
the Supreme Court in 1971. That was precisely the kind of battle and 
victory he relished.
  John's career began as an English and history teacher in his native 
state of Montana, where his grandfather was a Supreme Court justice. He 
immediately became involved in his union and started, as he puts it, 
``raising a little hell,'' in contract negotiations over health 
insurance. Six years later, he was in the middle of a primary race to 
serve in the Montana House of Representatives when he withdrew his 
candidacy because he was offered the opportunity to pursue his true 
passion as executive director of Madison Teachers Inc. (And no one who 
knows John will be surprised to hear--he won that race anyway).
  At that time in 1968, MTI had 900 members--it now has more than 
4,000. Other victories John secured on behalf of the teachers and other 
educational workers he represents included the right to take time off 
for their religious holidays. In 1976, he led workers in a teachers' 
strike that cemented his reputation as a fierce advocate and fighter on 
behalf of the people and causes he represents. As Capital Times Editor 
Emeritus Dave Zweifel put it when John's retirement was announced: ``No 
one I've known has been more committed to public education and what it 
means to American democracy than Matthews.'' He not only stood up for 
his members, he served the children and families of our community 
sitting on the board of such groups as Fair Wisconsin, Citizens Against 
Handgun Violence, Fighting Bob Fest, the Social Justice Center and the 
Citizens Utility Board.
  Yet John seeks to meet and converse with opponents in an open and 
friendly fashion, making regular lunch or coffee dates with 
adversaries. The day former Madison Schools Superintendent Art 
Rainwater stepped into that job, he phoned John right away that morning 
to talk about building bridges and asked when they could get together. 
John quickly replied: ``How about noon?'' In articles announcing his 
planned January 2016 retirement, glowing quotes of praise for his work 
came as frequently from his adversaries as from his allies. Anyone who 
has worked with him also knows him to be a caring, warm friend with a 
great wit and deep dedication to his colleagues and friends.
  It is an honor to recognize five decades of dedication, passion and 
advocacy in John's career with MTI. Anyone who knows John will not be 
at all surprised to hear that when asked by reporters what he plans to 
do in his retirement, he answered that he would remain committed to 
social justice issues and helping people. After all, it's what he's 
been doing for the past 50 years.

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