[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 18 (Thursday, January 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E99]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JULIE KUSHNER, DIRECTOR OF UAW REGION 9A, ON THE OCCASION OF 
                             HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 2018

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to 
pay tribute to Julie Kushner, Director of UAW Region 9A, as she marks 
her retirement after seven years as Director and more than thirty years 
as a union activist and leader.
  Julie began her career in the union movement in 1977 when she joined 
District 65, an independent union that later affiliated with the UAW, 
where she participated in many successful organizing drives, including 
for clerical and administrative support staff at Columbia University, 
various trade schools, as well as public and non-profit organizations. 
Her vision and success led to her election as the first president of 
UAW Local 2110, an amalgamated local with units in a variety of 
nonmanufacturing settings. As president, Julie was responsible for 
collective bargaining for more than thirty-five Technical, Office and 
Professional Units, particularly committed to the fight for contract 
language to protect workers' health and safety, and to promote women's 
and family issues.
  Julie's career with Region 9A began with her appointment to the staff 
in 1994 where she focused on education. Responsible for the 
organization of thousands of graduate student employees, adjunct 
faculty, and part-time faculty, as well as the successful election, 
campaign, and negotiations for the first contract for the dealers at 
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Julie rose through the ranks at Region 9A to 
become its Director. Her leadership has been defined by an aggressive 
organizing program and an expansion of its coalition building program. 
Julie's contributions to UAW Region 9A and the labor movement as a 
whole have been nothing short of extraordinary. Her efforts have 
ensured that thousands of workers have a safe work environment and 
economic security for their families.
  I would be remiss if I did not extend a personal note of thanks and 
appreciation to Julie for her many years of friendship. I have had the 
pleasure of working with her throughout my time as a Member of Congress 
and have always appreciated her candor, her vision, and her dedication 
to her members.
  Julie Kushner has dedicated her professional career to ensuring the 
economic security as well as the health and safety of our working 
families. I am honored to rise today to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations and sincere thanks to Julie as she marks the end of a 
remarkable career. I wish her, her husband, Larry, as well as their 
three children and four grandchildren the very best for many more years 
of health and happiness as they begin this new chapter.

                          ____________________