[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM DAVISON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize a 
gentleman who has long been at the forefront of working to protect and 
defend the rights of America's labor workers. On December 1, in Bay 
City, Michigan, friends and family will join members of Utility Workers 
Union of America Local 144 to honor Mr. Jim Davison, as he celebrates 
his retirement after 34 years.
  After honorably serving his country in Vietnam as a member of the 
United States Marine Corps, Jim Davison began his relationship with the 
UWUA September 1, 1970, when he began work at Consumers Power. After 
four years, he was appointed as a union steward, as well as a delegate 
to the Bay County AFL-CIO Central Labor Council. In 1975, Jim was 
elected his Local's Sergeant-At-Arms, and became Second Vice-President 
in 1981. In 1987, Jim was elected President.
  In 1981, Jim was chosen as Vice-President of the Bay County AFL-CIO 
Labor Council. Seven years later, he became the Council's President. 
Also in 1988, he was elected to serve as Vice-President of the Michigan 
State Utility Workers Council in Lansing. Jim served admirably in that 
position until 1995, when he then became Secretary/Treasurer of the 
State Council, a position he held until this year. Jim retired from 
Consumers Energy in September 2004.
  In addition to his tremendous work on behalf of the UWUA and the AFL-
CIO, Jim has been a tireless advocate of the community. He has spent 
many years on boards for the United Way on the local and state levels, 
and has also provided key leadership for groups such as the Saginaw 
Valley Blood Bank, Bay County Economic Development Council, Michigan 
State Labor Education Program, and the Kawkawlin Fire Department, where 
he served as Assistant Fire Chief from 1996-2004. Jim has also been 
active in politics, which includes his recent election as a Trustee in 
Kawkawlin Township.
  Mr. Speaker, I am exceptionally grateful for Jim Davison's dedication 
to his brothers and sisters in labor, and to the community. He is a 
shining example of the best our society has to offer, and a true role 
model for his peers as well as all those he comes into contact with. I 
ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to join me in congratulating 
Jim on his retirement, and wishing him the best in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________