[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE OF MR. JAMES W. KEATING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize 
the extraordinary service of Mr. James Keating. Jim, a lifelong 
resident of Warren, Ohio, recently announced his retirement from a 
remarkable career spanning 23 years as the Human Resources Director for 
Trumbull County.
   Jim had previously been the Human Resources Director for Heltzel 
Steel and served 12 years as an elected councilman in Warren. During 
his tenure at Trumbull County, Jim managed labor relations with five 
bargaining units within the Sheriff's Office and four with the American 
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees units, including 
contract negotiations and resolving grievances. In 2006, Jim 
established a county-wide committee to develop a personnel policy 
manual that could be adopted by all Trumbull County elected officials.
   In leading this committee, Jim exhibited not only his extensive 
knowledge of human resources policy, but also his ability to lead and 
establish consensus among county officials. The result was a personnel 
policy manual that was adopted and is now followed by all elected 
officials and departments in Trumbull County government. This brings 
the entire county into legal compliance, fostering fairness and 
uniformity in human resources practices, and significantly reduces the 
county's liability exposure.
   As a result of his success with the county-wide policy manual in 
Trumbull County, Jim was tapped by the County Commissioners Association 
of Ohio's County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA) in 2012 to be a member 
of the CORSA Personnel Policy Best Practices Panel. As a member of this 
Panel, which received the Ohio Public Employer Labor Relations 
Association and National Public Employer Labor Relations Association 
2013 Pacesetter Awards, Jim helped take his success with a county-wide 
manual in Trumbull County to counties throughout the State. Ultimately, 
Jim's leaves a professional and productive labor-management environment 
he has successfully fostered at Trumbull County.
   In addition to his knowledge of labor law, Jim is known for his 
common-sense, respectful approach to labor negotiations. His 
professional and logical demeanor brings out the best in both sides, 
and reduces the tendency for proceedings to become adversarial--
rightfully earning Jim a reputation for fairness in negotiations. For 
his leadership in Trumbull County and for the example he has set for 
government hiring practices across State of Ohio, Jim was awarded the 
2014 Ohio Public Employer Labor Relations Association's ``Award of 
Excellence''.
   Jim has served his city and his county, and he has earned the 
respect of his peers. We have been lucky to have him in our community, 
and Jim will now have an opportunity to spend more time with his 
wonderful wife, Bernadette, his three children, Brendan, Ryan and Mary 
Kathryn, and three grandchildren, Justin, Alexis, and Donovan. Mr. 
Speaker, I wish Jim a great retirement.

                          ____________________