[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF J. MICHAEL DOWNEY

  (Mr. MAGAZINER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of J. Michael Downey, a giant in the labor movement who worked 
tirelessly to improve the lives of working Rhode Islanders.
  Mike grew up in a union household. His father was the president of 
Local 28, the plumbers union, and executive director of the allied 
building trades.
  He followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a plumber at the 
University of Rhode Island for over 27 years before becoming the chief 
plumbing investigator at the State Department of Labor and Training.
  Mike worked a good job and wanted all workers in Rhode Island to have 
what he had, a fair and liveable wage, good benefits, and the 
opportunity to build a middle-class life.
  That is what he fought for as president of ASFCME council 94, the 
State's largest public-sector employees union, and as president of 
Local 528, which represents workers at the University of Rhode Island.
  Mike championed policies to protect members' wages and added several 
more locals under his leadership. Mike's work speaks for itself. He was 
re-elected as president five times.
  Mike was also active in his own community, serving as the co-chair of 
Serve Rhode Island and as a council member for the town of Charlestown.
  He will be remembered as a humble leader who dedicated his life and 
service to others. May his memory be a blessing.

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