[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 220 (Monday, December 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BERNARD ``BERNIE'' McKINNON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 28, 2020

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to pay tribute to a dear friend and labor leader, Bernard 
``Bernie'' McKinnon, who we recently lost unexpectedly. Bernie was a 
wonderful friend, colleague, and mentor to many, and he will be deeply 
missed by all of those fortunate enough to have known him.
  Bernie grew up in Caribou, Maine, along with his five siblings, 
before the family moved to Connecticut. Upon his graduation from high 
school, he joined his parents, as well as the United Autoworkers of 
America, when he began working at Fafnir Bearing. From the very 
beginning, Bernie was a dedicated member of UAW, and it was his passion 
for fairness and justice that led to his eventual career with the labor 
organization. He worked his way through the ranks of his local union, 
eventually becoming a long-time Local 133 President. He was later 
elected UAW Region 9A CAP President and then CAP Director, where he 
took on the responsibility of ensuring that the voices of UAW members 
were heard throughout the hall of state legislatures throughout New 
England.
  Bernie was also a mentor to many in Connecticut's labor movement, 
often sought after for advice and guidance in navigating the nuances of 
the state's General Assembly and the best ways in which to ensure that 
their legislative agendas were heard. He was also at the forefront of 
mobilizing UAW political activity in local, state, and federal 
elections, organizing volunteers and the activities in which they would 
participate.
  It was in 1991 that Bernie was recruited to work as a legislative 
activist for the UAW in Washington, D.C. and that was where I had the 
opportunity to really get to know Bernie. I can distinctly remember the 
first part of our exchange when he visited the office. I would say 
``how are you doing Bernie'' and his reply, without fail, was 
``terrible, Rosa . . . just terrible''--but his slight smile gave him 
away every time. In the near decade that he spent on the Hill, Bernie 
earned the respect of Members from both sides of the aisle, because he 
was straight-forward and genuine--when he spoke, he just gave you the 
plain truth about how an issue would impact working people.
  Bernie's contributions also extended far beyond his work on behalf of 
the UAW and its members. In his lifetime, he was a cub scout master, a 
Southington Band Backer, a trustee for the Southington Elks, a member 
of the Southington Democratic Town Committee, and a board member of 
several organizations including Catholic Family Services, the United 
Labor Agency, and the New Britain United Way. In his retirement, he 
served as President of the UAW Local 133 retiree chapter as well as an 
active member of the Connecticut Alliance of Retired Americans. He 
helped to establish the Connecticut Citizens Action Group and served on 
its Board of Directors for many years. His good work and compassion 
touched countless lives and his commitment to community and service 
should serve as a model for us all.
  I, like so many others, consider myself fortunate to not only have 
known Bernard ``Bernie'' McKinnon, but to have called him my friend. I 
extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Judie; his children, Ken, 
Lisa, and Jill; his grandchildren, and great-granddaughter as well as 
his many family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Though 
he was taken suddenly and much too soon, his is a life and legacy that 
will most certainly serve as an inspiration to many.

                          ____________________