[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MR. SERGIO RASCON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Sergio Rascon, a 
labor union leader who exemplifies the best in American leadership 
today.
  Born in 1953 in Sonora, Mexico, Mr. Rascon grew up and graduated from 
high school in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. 
Possessing a strong passion for labor union politics, in 1979 he was 
named Labor Foreman of the Laborers' International Union of North 
America LIUNA Local 300, a powerful subdivision of the American 
Federation of Labor.
  In 1984, he was named an official agent of the LIUNA Local 300, while 
becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen that same year. Demonstrating a 
natural ability to lead, motivate, and organize workers, he earned the 
highest honors by his peers and was promoted to the executive board of 
the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement LCLAA in 1989 and 
later to Business Manager and President of the LIUNA Local 300 union 
throughout the 1990s.
  Currently holding politically influential positions as First Vice 
President of the LCLAA State Chapter and as Los Angeles Commissioner on 
the Convention and Exhibition Center Bureau, Rascon is regarded as one 
of the most powerful and youngest political activists in the United 
States. Under his direction, the LIUNA Local 300 is involved in more 
political races than any other in its history.
  In addition to being an effective political lobbyist for progressive 
politicians, Rascon's achievements extend from being a once active 
water board member to generous community provider. From 1997 to 2001, 
he served as a Board Director for the Metropolitan Water District MWD 
in southern California. During his position as a member of the board, 
he worked to ensure that everyone in Los Angeles County have safe 
drinking water. He served important roles in the MWD, such as being 
Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Organization and Personnel and an 
active member of the MWD's Budget and Finance and Legal and Claims 
committees.
  As an active leader in his community, Mr. Rascon is involved in 
numerous charitable and educational activities in Los Angeles County. 
By collaborating with other prominent labor organizations, his LIUNA 
Local 300 has helped raise over $120,000 in scholarship funding for the 
children of southern California union members.
  Mr. Sergio Rascon is an advocate for every working American in the 
United States. I am honored to recognize his illustrious career of 
exceptional and tireless leadership during this year's Cinco de Mayo 
week in the Latino community. May his legacy continue to live forever.

                          ____________________