[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING GERARDO BECERRA FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
                INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of his retirement as 
President of two local International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) 
chapters, I rise today to commemorate the years of service my close 
friend, Mr. Gerardo Becerra, has given to the maritime industry and the 
thousands of members he passionately represented in South Florida. 
Gerry is a remarkable individual whose legacy in the port industry and 
the ILA will never be forgotten.
  Born in 1941 in Havana, Cuba, Gerry escaped the Castro dictatorship 
in 1960 and had to build a new life for himself in South Florida. 
Shortly after arriving to the states, Gerry enlisted in the United 
States Army in 1962 and served our nation for a number of years. After 
being honorably discharged from the army, Gerry began working at the 
ports and in 1965 he was one of the original charter members for ILA's 
Local 1922 chapter.
  Gerry's retirement closes his chapter of over fifty-four years of 
service to the longshoremen industry and the ILA. From 1965 to 1983, 
Gerry worked as a checker and plan clerk and through his hard work and 
dedication, he was appointed Vice President in 1984 for Local 1922, 
Local 1922-1, and Local 2062. In this role, he represented checkers, 
mechanics, and truck drivers. In 2005, he became President of Local 
1922 and Local 1922-1 and served in this position until his retirement. 
Additionally, he served as Vice President of the ILA from 2006 until 
2018. During this time, Gerry was integral in negotiating contracts, 
mediating grievances, and representing the interests of his colleagues.
  Having had the privilege of working with Gerry for many years, his 
determination and passion for bettering the longshoremen industry never 
wavered. While his retirement marks the end of an era, I have no doubt 
that Gerry looks forward to spending more time with his wife of fifty-
six years, Carmen, his two daughters, nine grandchildren, and extended 
family.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the impressive career 
of my dear friend, Mr. Gerry Becerra, and the strides he has made for 
the hardworking men and women in the port industry, and I ask my fellow 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding individual.

                          ____________________