[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF JOHN F. ``JAY'' HURLEY OF SOUTH BOSTON, MA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2018

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor a true 
son of South Boston, John F. ``Jay'' Hurley, in recognition of over 
fifty years of dedicated service to the South Boston community.
  The son of Catherine (Murray) of South Boston and John Hurley of 
South Boston (via Medford, MA), Jay was born in Boston on September 1, 
1954 and lived on East 4th Street in South Boston until he married his 
wife, Patricia (Farrell) ``Patty'' Hurley in 1979. They moved to Hart 
Place in South Boston, where they still reside.
  Jay attended Saint Brigid School at O Street and East Broadway and 
graduated in 1972 from South Boston High School. On June 5, 1974, Jay 
became a member of Ironworkers Local Union No. 7 (Book No. 922845).
  Upon completion of a three-year apprenticeship, Jay became a 
journeyman ironworker on June 1, 1977. Jay held various offices at 
Local 7 between 1988 and 2001, including: Recording Secretary, 
President, Business Agent, and as the first Business Manager in Local 
7's then 101-year history.
  On December 1, 2001, Jay was appointed General Organizer for the 
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and 
Reinforcing Iron Workers, and was subsequently elected the President of 
the Ironworkers District Council of New England in September of 2002. 
Jay was elected as the 9th General Vice President of the International 
in May 2005 and retired as the 1st General Vice President on March 1, 
2018.
  Over the course of his career, Jay poured his heart and soul into 
bettering the lives of all workers through the machinations of the 
labor movement. The admiration and respect of his colleagues and peers 
throughout the United States and Canada is unsurpassed.
  Along with providing distinguished service to the Ironworkers, Jay is 
also an active member of his community. He has won many awards over the 
years, most notably in 2006, when he won the Cushing Gavin award for 
outstanding service to the Labor community. In 2008, Jay wrote a novel, 
Irony . . . , and he has donated all proceeds to Julie's Family 
Learning Program, a South Boston non-profit organization.
  Jay is known as a loyal, hardworking leader in the labor movement; 
but also, a loving and caring family man. He has had the good fortune 
to be married to his wife Patty for 39 years, and they are the proud 
parents of John, Kaitlyn and Brian and proud grandparents to John 
(``Jack''), Michael and James.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to join with John F. ``Jay'' 
Hurley's family, friends, and contemporaries to thank him for his 
remarkable service to his union brothers and sisters and to his 
community of South Boston.

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