[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO ERV NEFF, PRESIDENT, MINNESOTA STATE RETIREE COUNCIL, AFL-
                                  CIO

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, I rise to honor Erv Neff, a 
longtime friend and current President of the Minnesota State Retiree 
Council, AFL-CIO. On December 4, Erv will step down as the President of 
the Retiree Council after six years of dedicated service. Under Erv's 
leadership, the Minnesota State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, has grown 
from 19 affiliated organizations in 1996 to 115 affiliated 
organizations today. Erv established the goal to expand the membership 
and the mission of the Retiree Council, and he succeeded admirably.
  Erv has a lifetime of distinguished accomplishments. They include his 
stewardship of the Twin Cities Musicians Union and his service as an 
invaluable advisor to dozens of prominent public officials. His legacy 
will be enhanced by his post-retirement activities. Many people view 
retirement as an opportunity to relax after a lifetime of hard work and 
personal and professional accomplishments. Not Erv Neff. Erv recognized 
the potential positive contributions Minnesota retirees could make 
toward improving the quality of life in our state. He joined the AFL-
CIO Retiree Council and was quickly elected to leadership positions 
within the organization. Since his election as President of the Council 
in 1996, Erv has demonstrated that the Council could play an active 
role in promoting legislative initiatives that would benefit senior 
citizens and working men and women. He led the Council's efforts to 
pass improved prescription drug benefits for senior citizens at the 
state and national levels. He arranged for prominent speakers to appear 
at monthly Council meetings to educate members on a wide variety of 
issues. By demonstrating the ability of the Council to play an 
effective role in improving the lives of senior citizens, Erv was able 
to build the Council into one of the most vigorous advocacy 
organizations in Minnesota.
  I hope that Erv will look back with deserved pride on his service to 
working men and women and senior citizens. He has accomplished much 
throughout his life, and thousands of Minnesotans owe him their 
gratitude.
  I wish Erv and his wife, Betsy, the very best this life has to 
offer.

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