[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR RUBEN BURKS

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. 
Ruben Burks for his continuing dedication to the UAW, and his support 
of children in the Flint community. Mr. Burks has been a member of the 
UAW since 1955 when he went to work as an assembler at General Motors 
in Flint, Michigan. Throughout his career in the UAW, Mr. Ruben has 
served in several capacities, including shop committeeperson, alternate 
committeeperson, and Local 598 executive board member. In 1970 Mr. 
Burks was appointed to the International Union staff where he served 
UAW members in General Motors and independents, parts, and suppliers 
plants. Last year Mr. Burks had the privilege of being elected 
secretary-treasurer of the UAW, making him responsible for various 
administrative departments of the international Union. In addition, he 
directs the UAW's Veterans department.
  A long-time community activist, Mr. Burks is actively involved in 
numerous civic, charitable, and youth organizations in the Flint 
community, including the Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Red Cross, 
and Easter Seals. He has also served as a director of the Flint Urban 
League, Goodwill Industries of Flint, and the Sam Duncan Memorial 
Scholarship Fund. Mr. Burks is also an active member of the advisory 
board of the University of Michigan at Flint.
  It is with great pleasure that I announce that Mr. Ruben Burks will 
be the recipient of this year's March of Dimes ``Humanitarian of the 
Year Award.'' Mr. Burks is being honored with this award as a result of 
his tireless commitment to the Flint community. He will receive this 
award at the 27th annual March of Dimes ``Sweetheart Ball'' on March 6, 
1999, in Dearborn, Michigan. I wish to extend my sincerest 
congratulations to Mr. Burks.

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