[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 94 (Friday, June 2, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THEA MEI LEE, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE AFL-CIO ON THE 
                       OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 2, 2017

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself, and my 
colleagues Peter A. DeFazio, Debbie Dingell, Marcy Kaptur, Barbara Lee, 
Sander M. Levin, James P. McGovern, Bill Pascrell Jr., Mark Pocan, and 
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott. It is our honor to rise today to join the 
many family, friends, and colleagues in extending our deepest thanks 
and appreciation to Thea Mei Lee, as she marks her retirement as Deputy 
Chief of Staff at the AFL-CIO.
  Over the past twenty years, Thea has made an indelible impact on the 
AFL-CIO, fighting for trade and economic policies for working families 
that would promote shared prosperity and sustainable growth. Thea began 
working for the AFL-CIO in March 1997 as the Assistant Director for the 
Trade Task Force, and was subsequently promoted to the positions of 
Director of Public Policy, Chief International Economist and Deputy 
Chief of Staff.
  Thea led the fight against harmful trade agreements and policies 
negotiated in a manner damaging to working people's interests, 
including the North American Free Trade agreement, the Central American 
Free Trade Agreement, Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China, the 
World Trade Organization; the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the 
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-China BIT, and many others.
  Her work was instrumental to the defeat of the Trans-Pacific 
Partnership, the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, and the 
Multilateral Investment Agreement--harmful trade agreements that would 
have advanced profits over people and the planet.
  She has testified on behalf of America's working people before both 
the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. And, she has 
contributed valued work to the conversation around fair trade, 
including co-authoring A Field Guide the Global Economy.
  She has often made the case for a fair and inclusive economy--
eloquently and passionately on the PBS News Hour, CNN, Good Morning 
America, and NPR's All Things Considered among others. In 2013, she was 
named a ``Top Lobbyist'' by The Hill.
  Thea has fought to ensure that all workers around the globe are 
treated with dignity and afforded fundamental labor rights as 
recognized by the International Labor Organization. And, she has 
mobilized workers, helping turn out thousands of working people to 
protest unjust WTO polices at ``The Battle in Seattle.''
  The AFL-CIO sets a national standard in the fight for working 
Americans, in large part because of Thea's work. She has left her mark 
on this outstanding organization and a legacy that will continue to 
inspire others to ensure that fair trade benefits working Americans. 
Her career should encourage all elected officials to continue to focus 
on building a better, stronger, more inclusive economy for all the 
people of the United States.
  We are honored to stand today to extend our heartfelt thanks and 
congratulations to Thea Lee for her outstanding leadership and good 
work as well as our very best wishes for many more years of health and 
happiness as she enjoys her retirement.

                          ____________________