[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CHARLES MELTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to rise before you today 
to pay tribute to a loyal friend and a tireless advocate of America's 
workers, who was taken from this Earth too soon. On Thursday, February 
25, members and friends of Local 653 of the United Automobile, 
Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America have decided 
to go forth with their plans to honor the accomplishments of Mr. 
Charles J. Melton of Pontiac, Michigan, who died January 31.
  It has been said that ``death ends a life, not a relationship,'' and 
this is certainly the case with those who have ever come into contact 
with Charlie Melton and have benefitted from his influence. A lifelong 
Pontiac resident, Army veteran, and a committed labor activist, 
Charlie's association with the UAW began in 1952. Within two years, he 
became a committeeman, and spent the following 30 years serving his 
fellow colleagues as union representative, benefit representative, vice 
president, and ultimately president of Local 653. Early on, Charlie had 
a fervent desire to help people in any way possible and do whatever he 
could to ensure that a strong, equitable, and positive environment 
existed in the workplace and throughout the community.
  Upon his retirement from General Motors in 1983, after 31 years, 
Charlie continued to work on behalf of his peers through the Local's 
Retiree chapter, where he served as chairman for many years. He also 
served as recording secretary for the UAW Region 1 Retirees Council. He 
was always found within the halls of the union planning everything from 
meetings to fishing trips.
  Charlie's ability to make a difference was a trait shared by his 
wonderful wife, Bonnie, and they both instilled these values in their 
son, Tim. One of Charlie's greatest joys was to recently see his son 
elected as the youngest member ever of Oakland County's Board of 
Commissioners. The strides that Tim will make as he begins his career 
as a public servant will serve to continue the legacy of his father.
  Mr. Speaker, Charles J. Melton was not just a constituent, but a very 
good friend. It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you today, 
however it is also with great pride that I do so. It is people like 
Charlie, who make it their life's work to improve the quality and 
dignity of life for us all that continue to inspire us to greater 
efforts. I, along with Charlie's family, and his UAW extended family 
will truly miss him a great deal. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the life of a great man.

                          ____________________