[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22194-22195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           XEMA JACOBSON--2003 JOHNS LABOR LEADER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Xema Jacobson on receiving 
the 2003 Johns ``Labor Leader of the Year'' Award in recognition of her 
outstanding contributions to the working men and women of our 
community.
  Xema is a native San Diegan, a graduate of Patrick Henry High School 
and San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in 
Political Science. After graduating from college, she went to work for 
Congressman Jim Bates, where she served as a Casework Supervisor and 
Field Representative in his Chula Vista District office.
  In 1990, Xema became actively involved in the Labor Movement when the 
San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council hired her as 
its Director of the Public Works Task Force. In this role, she worked 
with the affiliated building and construction trade unions monitoring 
public works projects in San Diego County for compliance with relevant 
labor laws. In addition, she was responsible for filing complaints for 
violations, contracting Awarding Agencies regarding the public 
contracting process and representing the Council on issues involving 
public works within the County.
  In 1993, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 
569, Laborers Local 89 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 hired Xema to 
monitor public works projects on their behalf. She has spent seven 
years monitoring public works projects throughout San Diego and 
Imperial Counties and working with the San Diego-Imperial Counties 
Labor Council in creating the Labor to Neighbor political education 
program.
  From 2000-2003, Xema served as Business Manager of the San Diego 
County Building Trades Council, serving as the only female Business 
Manager in the nation. Representing 24 affiliated building and 
construction trade unions throughout the county, she administered the 
building trade agreements at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, the 
Padres Ballpark, the Olivenhein Dam and the Otay Mesa Generating 
Facility. She was also the Chairman of the Board of the National City 
Parks Apartments; a 150-unit non-profit apartment community for low-
income residents built owned and operated by the Building Trades. In 
addition, Xema was elected 2nd Vice President of the San Diego-Imperial 
Counties Labor Council and served on its Executive Board from 2000 to 
January 2003.
  In December 2002, Xema was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve 
a four-year term as a member of the Executive Committee for the San 
Diego County Regional Airport Authority. The newly created Airport 
Authority oversees the operations of the San Diego International 
Airport. The Executive Committee is charged with hiring key Airport 
Authority personnel and, along with the full Board, recommending an 
airport site to County voters.
  Xema has been active in Democratic politics, serving as Assemblyman 
and Senator Steve Peace's appointee to the State Democratic Party from 
1990 to 2000. She also served one term on the State Democratic Party 
Executive Board, working on the party platform committee.
  In her community, she serves on the Board of Directors of the United 
Way of San Diego, the Holiday Bowl Committee, and is a member

[[Page 22195]]

of the Stan Foster Construction Tech Academy at Kearny High School 
Advisory Committee. She has previously served as President of the Board 
of the San Diego Food Bank and as the first woman President of the 
Kiwanis Club of Chula Vista.
  Xema makes her home in Casa de Oro in eastern San Diego County with 
her husband, Johnny Simpson and their children, Alexandra and Cody.
  Xema Jacobson exemplifies the high values, standards, and principles 
of the late John S. Lyons. I offer my congratulations to her on her 
recognition as the 2003 ``Labor Leader of the Year Award.''

                          ____________________