[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 189 (Wednesday, October 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RICHARD TRUMKA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 26, 2021

  Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss 
of Richard Trumka. For those who knew him, Richard personified the 
integrity and selflessness he carried with him each day, sharing with 
all that he met. I was privileged to share a friendship with Richard, 
and when I first came to know him, I was immediately inspired by his 
passionate and courageous spirit.
  I don't think there was a major election in Ohio over the past number 
of years where Richard was not in Niles or Youngstown or Akron 
campaigning and energizing union members. I was always impressed about 
how down to earth he was and how he had the common touch. But he was 
smart, he understood labor law, he knew the politics of the issues 
affecting workers and knew what the average worker was facing and the 
challenges, Most importantly, he understood the process of what needed 
to happen to make things better.
  Richard was a hero of the labor movement and a champion for American 
Workers. He fought tirelessly to advocate for social and economic 
justice. As head of the AFL-CIO, he launched initiatives aimed at 
reaching younger workers, backed the ``Fight for $15'' effort to raise 
the minimum wage and called for employees to have a voice in ensuring 
their workplaces have proper safety protocols.
  Richard served on the boards of the National Labor College, The AFL-
COP's Solidarity Center, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human 
Rights, among others. He also sat on the boards of the Economic Policy 
Institute and the Housing Investment Trust and served as President 
Emeritus of the United Mine Workers. He spent his life working 
tirelessly as an inspiring advocate for the Catholic social justice 
principle of honoring the dignity of the worker.
  Richard's work has motivated me to continue advocating on behalf of 
workers and ensuring them a safe and secure future by protecting their 
ability to organize and collectively bargain. I am forever grateful 
that I was able to work alongside Richard and witness the impact he had 
on the American people. His advocacy will live on to empower others to 
follow in his footsteps in pushing for positive social change.

                          ____________________