[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S22-S23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   REMEMBERING JOHN VICTOR AMROL, JR.

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I come to the floor to pay 
tribute to John Victor Amrol, Jr., a long-time New Hampshire resident, 
State employee, and labor advocate who passed away recently at the age 
of 85. Born in our State capital of Concord, John was in many ways a 
quintessential Granite Stater. He had a warm personality, an 
exceptional work ethic, and a passion

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for service that enriched his community and improved the quality of 
life for so many across our great State.
  After graduating from nearby St. John's High School in 1953, John 
took a job with the State of New Hampshire in our department of 
transportation, DOT. It was the start of a 44-year career in highway 
road design. Throughout his long tenure with DOT, John played a role in 
ensuring that our roadways were developed in a safe and efficient 
manner. He also served his community and State as a member of the Army 
National Guard from 1953 to 1978. He retired as a master sergeant, and 
he was a proud member of American Legion Post 21 for 26 years.
  John achieved so much with the department of transportation; yet as a 
longtime member of the State Employees Association (SEA)/Service 
Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1984 and its president from 
1991-2000, his true impact transcends all that he accomplished in his 
decades of work with the DOT. John was a pillar of the SEA/SEIU, 
serving on nearly every committee and always diving deep into the 
issues that affected working people and their families. The union 
represents a wide range of occupations in the public and private sector 
workforce that provides critical services to our State. Each and every 
member owes a debt of gratitude to John. He was a force in fighting for 
their well-being, dignity, and fair treatment. As a negotiator, John 
was as tough as New Hampshire granite. In fact, his wisdom and judgment 
at the negotiating table earned him the nickname ``The Father of 
Collective Bargaining for State Employees'' among his SEA colleagues. 
They also paid tribute to John by dedicating their office building on 
North State Street in Concord in his name.
  John was the president of SEA/SEIU Local 1984 when I was elected 
Governor. We shared a vision of a strong, secure middle class in New 
Hampshire where hard-working Granite Staters get a fair shot and their 
fair share, and we knew that unions play an important role in achieving 
that vision. I could always count on him for a fair, honest, and 
informed assessment of labor issues.
  The Granite State and the many people John served are grateful for 
his many gifts and powerful advocacy. In the last couple of weeks, 
family and friends have gathered to share and cherish their many fond 
memories of him. I am with them in spirit as they reflect on the life 
of this good and generous man.

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