[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E299-E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MONICA SILBAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 2, 2024

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career 
of Monica Silbas on the occasion of her retirement as Chief of Staff 
for the International President of the International Association of 
Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). During her more than 20 years 
of union leadership, Monica has made a lasting impact throughout her 
career on behalf of working people and the Labor Movement. 
Additionally, Monica helped found the Latino Labor Lobbyists group, the 
IAM's Spanish Leadership Program, and served as Co-Chair of the Women 
of Labor organization, in which capacity I had the great fortune of 
working alongside her.
  Monica started her career with IAM in 1986 as a Customer Service 
Agent at Northwest Airlines in Los Angeles, where she was initiated 
into IAM Local 2785. She quickly rose as a leader in organizing with 
her Labor brothers and sisters, and in 1999 became the IAM 
Transportation Department's Education Representative. In this role, she 
initiated and won several organizing campaigns representing airline and 
railroad workers. She then joined as IAM Assistant Political and 
Legislative Director before becoming the Chief of Staff to the 
International President.
  Monica has dedicated decades of her work to expanding the reach and 
inclusion of the Labor Movement. Fluent in Spanish, Monica was among 
the founding members of the IAM's Spanish Leadership Working Group, and 
was crucial in developing materials and resources for IAM in Spanish. 
As Co-Chair of the Women of Labor organization, she helped lift and 
encourage women in the Labor Movement. Finally, she was a member of the 
Executive Committee of IndustriALL Global Union, representing over 50 
million workers in 140 countries.
  Throughout it all, Monica has been an unwavering voice for working 
families. It has been my great pleasure to work closely with her on 
many projects and priorities over the years, and I know I speak for 
many when I say that she has been a tremendous asset to the Labor 
Movement.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Monica. 
I wish her and her family all the best.

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