[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E849-E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING DAVID HECKER'S 40+ YEARS BUILDING THE LABOR MOVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Hecker, 
the President of AFT Michigan on the occasion of his retirement. The 
tireless work he has put in to ensure our state has a strong public 
school system and the teachers to staff it is worthy of commendation.

[[Page E850]]

  David was born in the Bronx to a family of strong Polish roots. Both 
parents were proud union members and like many Jews of the era, were 
supporters of progressive politics. David and his wife, Alice Audie-
Figueroa, who is also a well-known activist, are longtime members of 
Shir Tikvah in Troy.
  Aimed with a Masters degree from the University of Massachusetts and 
a PhD from University of Wisconsin, David began his work in labor when 
he joined Local 3220 in 1977, the union of graduate assistants at 
University of Wisconsin. After being elected president, David decided 
that building the labor movement would be his life's work. Subsequent 
experience with the Allied Industrial Workers, Michigan State AFL-CIO, 
and the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO led to David taking a position at AFT 
Michigan, where he was eventually elected president in 2001. Since 
2004, he has also been the Vice President of the National AFT.
  David spent his time as President of AFT Michigan aggressively 
promoting the ideal that ``K-12 public education is the foundation of 
our democracy''. During his tenure, AFT Michigan organized many new 
locals representing thousands of new members and built deep 
partnerships with community allies. Notably, David was one of the co-
chairs of the Coalition for the Future of Detroit School Children. This 
Coalition's report and legislative work resulted in legislation that 
saved the future of the Detroit Public Schools. David is also a co-
chair of the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, a group of leaders brought 
together from business, labor, and the government to the same table to 
respond to our region's challenges and opportunities. No matter where 
he is, David is always working to bring people of all perspectives 
together to reach common goals that improve our region for all who live 
here.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 
lifetime of work David Hecker has contributed to the cause of public 
education. Within our state and around the country, children in our 
public schools have quality educators and better access to resources 
due in no small part to his tireless efforts. We are saddened to see 
him leave, but we know his activism will not stop in ``retirement''. I 
thank David for his significant contributions.

                          ____________________