[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RANDY GHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of my 
longtime friend Mr. Randy Ghan, who passed away on December 7, 2018 at 
the age of 67. Randy will be remembered as a dedicated and committed 
labor leader and advocate for worker rights in the Central Valley. 
Randy worked tirelessly to ratify the Central Labor Council, creating 
one of the strongest labor councils in California. He dedicated his 
life to the labor movement and is known as a labor icon.
  Randy was born on November 5, 1951 in Fresno, California to Irene 
Kuns and Melvin Ghan. He attended Humboldt State University. Randy's 
labor career began when he joined the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco 
Workers Union and Local 85 (Bakers 85) at the Perfection Macaroni 
factory in Fresno. Randy was elected as the first shop steward in the 
history of the factory when he was just 20 years old. His efficiency 
and passion to succeed earned him a position on the union bargaining 
team. While on the bargaining team, Randy showed strong work ethic and 
was offered a job with the union and joined the executive board of the 
Central Labor Council (CLC).
  After being on the executive board of the CLC for 15 years, Randy ran 
for Secretary-Treasurer (CEO) and won with the support from his allies 
in UFCW 1288 and SEIU 752. Randy took on the position when the CLC was 
struggling financially and he successfully revamped the organization. 
Randy got CLC out of debt by affiliating dozens of new unions and 
brokering deals to save money and build political capacity. Today, the 
CLC stands as one of the best funded labor councils in California.
  One of Randy's proudest accomplishments was the creation of the CLC 
Partnership, which provides employment readiness services to workers 
across Fresno. The joint efforts of CLC, Propath and Regenerate 
California Innovation has assisted numerous people in finding gainful 
employment. In an act of kindness and true leadership, Randy gave his 
salary for the hours worked in the partnership to hire additional staff 
at the CLC.
  In appreciation of his years of hard work, Randy was recognized as 
Labor Leader of the Year by the CLC in 1992 and 2017. He was the only 
labor leader to ever receive this honor twice.
  Randy was preceded in death by his loving partner Sharon Hodson. He 
leaves behind his sister Judy, daughters Maria and Tracey, numerous 
grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
and achievements of my friend Randy Ghan. Randy leaves a legacy of 
advocacy and selflessness to improve the lives of so many in the 
Valley. He will be missed dearly by those who had the pleasure of 
knowing him.

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