[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 164 (Tuesday, October 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING HENRY TAMARIN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2022

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Henry 
Tamarin, an extraordinary labor leader and organizer. He was a special 
mentor and friend to me. Henry passed away peacefully at his home in 
New York City on August 26, 2022, at the age of 77. He was surrounded 
by his loved ones at the time of his passing.
  Henry Tamarin was born in New York City, and became an organizer, 
union leader, and union president. He was best known for his activism 
and leadership in Chicago's labor movement. Tamarin, a former member of 
the Chicago Federation of Labor Executive Board, came to Chicago in 
1999 and was elected president of UNITE HERE Local 1 in 2001. He served 
in this role until 2013 when he stepped aside and transitioned the 
local to the next generation of leaders. Before arriving in Chicago, 
Tamarin led UNITE HERE Local 217 in Connecticut, and UNITE HERE Local 
100 in New York City.
  The labor and social justice activism that he dedicated his entire 
life to was evident in his youth. On August 28, 1963, Tamarin and his 
father were witness to history as they watched Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. deliver his ``I Have a Dream'' speech at the March on Washington. 
Henry's son Nate said his father called it one of proudest moments of 
his life.
  Tamarin attended Earlham College, and later the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his degree. Tamarin organized, 
marched, and sat-in for peace and civil rights. After college, Tamarin 
lived in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district with a member of the 
Grateful Dead. That bit of trivia followed Tamarin throughout his 
career and earned him a new level of respect and admiration from 
generation after generation of union staff.
  Tamarin's activism and passion for working people (and his friend 
John Wilhelm) led him to get arrested at a demonstration in support of 
unionized workers at Yale University, which led to a lifetime of union 
work, service and activism at UNITE HERE. Subsequently, Tamarin became 
UNITE HERE's troubleshooter, with the union sending him to help 
struggling UNITE HERE locals in New England, New Jersey, New York, and 
Chicago.
  When he arrived in Chicago, Tamarin faced his biggest challenge and 
found his greatest success when he transformed and revitalized UNITE 
HERE Local 1 by organizing a member-driven and worker-led 2002 contract 
fight with 7,000 hotel workers that raised the wages of housekeepers 
from $8.83 to $10.17.
  Throughout his career, Tamarin mentored dozens of future labor 
leaders and activists, including Roushaunda Williams, vice president of 
the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board; Karen Kent, UNITE HERE Local 1's 
president and Tamarin's successor; and Jose Maldonado, president of 
UNITE HERE Local 100 in New York City. Henry was indeed a ``Street 
Fighting Man'' as David Moberg referred to him in his cover article 
published in the Chicago Tribune Magazine on February 16, 2003. Tamarin 
led his local unions and membership through several strikes, including 
the Congress Hotel strike in Chicago, and the Box Tree Restaurant 
strike in New York City--two of the longest strikes in labor history.
  Henry's passion for the struggle for workers' rights was contagious, 
and his love and respect for union members authentic. He patiently 
taught union members the power of strikes, how to defend their 
contracts, and the importance of keeping free speech alive. Tamarin was 
always ready to take the struggle to the next level. He was bold and 
tough, and a smart, colorful, and tenacious negotiator.
  When he stepped aside from union service in 2015, he stepped into a 
full life with family, friends and travel. He spent time with his 
grandchildren, and continued to organize the annual summer trip to Cape 
Cod with his family. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, fly fishing, and 
dining out in his hometown. Henry was passionate about travel overseas 
and only this summer had traveled to the south of France.
  Henry leaves behind son Nate and his wife Elizabeth; son Nick and his 
wife Rhea; grandchildren Nicholas, Henry, and Elena; a sister, Jean 
Tamarin and thousands of UNITE HERE members, staff, and leaders, whose 
lives were made better because of his life's work.
  Henry Tamarin will live forever in the hearts of his family, friends, 
and in the hearts of UNITE HERE Local 1 & UNITE HERE Local 100, in 
UNITE HERE, and in the labor movement.

                          ____________________