[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23451]]

                        TRIBUTE TO JOE DEAN BOBO

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
record and accomplishments of one of my constituents who has devoted 
his career to serving working men and women in California. On the 
occasion of his retirement from the International Association of 
Machinists and Aerospace Workers, I salute Joe Dean Bobo for his 
tireless efforts over the last three decades, and applaud his lifetime 
of accomplishments.
  Joe Bobo was born in rural Arkansas to a family of fifteen. He moved 
to Oakland, California as a teenager, and served three years in the 
United States Army before beginning work in his family's scrap metal 
business. Joe's involvement with the IAMAW began in 1969, when he began 
work as an apprentice mechanic. He quickly advanced to become a shop 
steward, and was appointed a full-time union official with the IAMAW 
Northern California District Lodge 190 in 1979.
  Since that time, Joe has worked tirelessly in advocating for fair 
wages and benefits on behalf of the men and women he represents. He has 
gained the respect of both labor union members and employers through 
his dedicated service.
  In addition to his full-time position with the IAMAW, Joe's 
experience and passion for labor issues have resulted in him being 
called on to participate in a variety of leadership positions. He is 
currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the Automotive Machinists 
Coordinating Committee of Northern California and a Trustee of the 
Automotive Industries Health, Welfare and Pension Fund. Joe's labor 
leadership has also included a term as President of the California 
Conference of Machinists, representing 150,000 members employed in the 
aerospace, airlines, automotive, electronics and manufacturing 
industries.
  His community service is also commendable, including service as an 
advisory member of the Transition Committee for Waste Management and on 
the New Oakland Committee. Joe is an exceptional person who has earned 
the gratitude and respect of the scores of people who have worked with 
him and come to know him.
  I am pleased to join Joe's friends, family and colleagues in 
recognizing his outstanding service to his fellow workers and to the 
community and wish him well as he moves on to new challenges in his 
retirement.

                          ____________________