[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO ARLETTE T. GATEWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following for the Record.

                  The Biography of Arlette T. Gatewood

       Born to Mayhue and Ella (Jackson) Gatewood, in the late 
     1920's, the fourteenth child of fifteen children, Arlette T. 
     Gatewood began on his journey of life. Raised on the Eastside 
     of Youngstown's Sharon Line and a graduate of East High 
     School class of 1947.
       During his adolescent years he met a sweet, supportive girl 
     named Emma G. Bunch, whom he married, and 51 years and two 
     daughters later, they are still a couple that has love, 
     respect and commitment to each other.
       Arlette's daughters, Aleatha L. Summers and Roslyn M. 
     Austin both of Evanston, IL were raised by the stern hand of 
     a father that instilled a foundation of love, common sense, 
     and self-respect along with a wealth of knowledge and 
     commitment. These keys of success have been handed down to 
     his grandchildren: Rashida, and Jelani Summers and Marcus 
     Austin, and this torch will be handed down to future 
     generations.
       Arlette over the years has taken the time to share his time 
     and knowledge with his nieces and nephews, and with so many 
     other young adults. There are so many lives that Arlette has 
     influenced, the advice shared and the support given has 
     created powerful, productive adults throughout this country.
       For 32 years Arlette worked as a cranesman in the 
     Conditioning Yard at the Brier Hill Plant of the Youngstown 
     Sheet and Tube Company. A member of Local Union 1462, United 
     Steelworkers of America AFL-CIO-CIC, where he served in 
     various capacities as a Local Union Officer; Vice President, 
     Treasurer, and Grievance Committeeman also served as a member 
     of the Civil Rights Committee, and the Worker's Compensation 
     Committee. A dedicated trade unionist, he was appointed to 
     the position of Staff Representative January 16, 1978 by 
     Frank Leseganich, Former Director of District 26. Though 
     retired from work, Arlette continues to fight for the rights 
     of labor and labor relations.
       Arlette is a member of Reeds Chapel A.M.E. Church where he 
     serves on the Trustee Board, a member of the Board of 
     Directors of Interfaith Home Maintenance Service, Leadership 
     Youngstown, and the Labor Advisory Committee for Congressman 
     Traficant.
       He is also a board member of Youngstown Community Action 
     Council, a past board member of the Youngstown Employment and 
     Training Corporation (YETC) where he served as president for 
     4 years, a member of Citizens Participation Organization 
     (Model Cities), Mahoning Valley Council of Church Economic 
     Task Force, and Labor-Management Citizens Committee of 
     Youngstown.
       Arlette serves as a member of the Youngstown Area Urban 
     League, Youngstown Chapter of N.A.A.C.P., Associated 
     Neighborhood Centers, Leadership Youngstown Class of 1987, A. 
     Phillip Randolph Institute; and Board of Trustee of the 
     United Way.
       Arlette Gatewood is and has been an asset to the entire 
     community and has shared his experiences so that the future 
     generations can benefit from his knowledge. He is a silent 
     storm throughout the valley.

                                  ____
                                  

     To My Husband, Our Father and Our Grandfather:


                           HERE'S TO THE MAN

       Here's to the man who knows who he is and where he stands, 
     the man with enough confidence in his own beliefs that he 
     isn't afraid to let others express theirs . . .
       Here's to the man who doesn't claim to know the answers 
     until he has tried to understand the questions, the man with 
     the strength to hold an unpopular opinion and the courage to 
     change his mind . . .
       Here's to the man whose warmth and wisdom and humor have 
     earned him the respect of his friends and family and who 
     makes this world a better place in which to live . . .
     Arlette, Daddy, Papa


                            HERE'S TO YOU!!!

     With Love,
     Emma, Pam, Raymond, Roslyn ``Bunny'', Ray Austin, Shani, 
     Jelani, Marques, and Pap

     

                          ____________________