[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 69 (Monday, April 29, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MS. CELESTE DRAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 29, 2019

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Celeste 
Drake of the AFL-CIO for her advocacy on behalf of hardworking 
Americans.
  Throughout her career, Ms. Drake has been a champion for the American 
worker. Before joining the AFL-CIO in 2011 as its Trade and 
Globalization Policy Specialist, she worked as a Legislative Director 
and Legislative Counsel for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez of California 
and Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas. Celeste was also a clerk on the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and served as a member of the 
Advisory Committee of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Celeste has brought 
immense value to every role she has held throughout her career during 
her time in Washington, D.C.
  A former high school teacher, Ms. Drake has dedicated her 
professional career to improving the quality of life for middle-class 
Americans. Now, she is returning to her home state of California to 
work with the Directors Guild of America.
  I have had the pleasure of working closely with her in the fight for 
fair trade. We worked side by side to defeat the Trans-Pacific 
Partnership and thereby preventing the acceleration of the outsourcing 
of good paying American manufacturing jobs and the undermining of 
American workers' wages. Now, with the re-negotiated North Atlantic 
Free Trade Agreement, Celeste has been essential again to ensuring that 
we secure strong and enforceable labor standards in the agreement. Her 
expertise on trade policy and international law has been a true asset 
for labor groups, advocacy organizations, and countless members of 
Congress and ultimately impacted the wage and job security of hard-
working Americans.
  There are few advocates who are stronger allies of the American 
worker or who have done as much to fight for a trade system that 
empowers them instead of enriching corporations. It is my honor and 
privilege today to recognize Celeste Drake for her hard work and 
dedication, and to wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor. She 
will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________