[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 21882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING LARRY TICE

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise today to share with my 
colleagues in the Senate the story of an awful tragedy that took place 
in Weirton, WV. Larry Tice, a steelworker at the former Weirton Steel 
now called Mittal Steel's Weirton Plant took his own life earlier this 
year after being overwhelmed with a misplaced feeling of failure.
  Larry spent decades in Weirton Steel's hot mill before he was 
transitioned to the tin mill in Mittal's reorganization and shrinking 
of its operations in Weirton. At its height, Weirton Steel employed 
14,000--nearly everyone in a town of roughly 25,000. Twenty years ago 
employment was approximately 7,000, and today the company employs less 
than 2,000 people in a town that has shrunk to fewer than 20,000 
people. Weirton is a town that had been built around the plant, and the 
plant served as the town's economic engine for nearly 100 years. 
Weirton was and is known for its world-class steelmaking.
  Mr. Tice was a hard-working veteran at Weirton Steel. There had never 
been a doubt as to where Larry would work when he was growing up. He, 
like so many others, had been raised to believe if they worked hard, 
there would always be a job that included a living wage, competitive 
benefits, and a guaranteed pension. Larry's father, uncles, and cousins 
had all worked at the mill. Larry worked there his whole life after 
signing up after high school graduation in 1973. Just before his death, 
his job was in jeopardy, many of his benefits diminished, and his 
pension had all but disappeared.
  Mr. Tice worked at the heart of the mill, in the pit, where glowing 
molten steel drifted overhead in 340-ton ladles, then roared out of 
3\1/2\-inch holes. He excelled in his area of work and was crew chief 
to six employees. Everyone says Mr. Tice enjoyed his work and took 
pride in what he did. It was not an easy job. The intense heat and the 
physical nature of the job tax workers physically and mentally, but Mr. 
Tice was a true steelworker, never complaining and always doing what he 
was asked.
  After many layoffs at Weirton Steel and the closure of the hot end, 
Mr. Tice was relocated to the tin mill, but he happily accepted this 
assignment because he was one of those who would still have a job after 
another massive layoff. With the new job came many new stresses and 
worries. Mr. Tice had only 2 weeks to master the new machinery and 
technology; the tin mill was more technologically advanced and was a 
place that required new skills and processes. At age 51, this new, 
high-tech job posed a real challenge for Mr. Tice. The stress continued 
to mount and Mr. Tice began to feel inferior, as his friends report, 
looking back on his last few months of life.
  Mr. Tice worried that the new management of Weirton would not 
tolerate a slow learning curve. He worried that if he didn't pick up 
his new craft quickly enough that he would be fired. In the end, friend 
and family pointed to some negative reinforcement and a general feeling 
of inadequacy on Mr. Tice's part. This steelworker of two-plus decades 
worried that if he didn't catch on quickly enough he wouldn't be able 
to provide for his family or allow them the opportunities they 
deserved--worries that anyone who cares for a family can understand. 
Larry Tice was a family man to his last days.
  This hardship and uncertainty, along with his constant pressure and 
concern for his family's welfare, ultimately led to him taking his own 
life. Mr. Tice's widow, Mary, is now only left to wonder what was so 
inescapable. Mary spoke with Larry over the phone moments before his 
death and he told her he had `screwed up,' though he did not elaborate 
further. At home, Larry hung up the telephone. When Mary tried calling 
back, there was no answer. She then drove home, though it was too late.
  I stand before you today to ask that Larry Tice's story be 
remembered, along with the ongoing struggle of all steelworkers. Many 
ask why we in steel States fight so hard for our steel jobs, and it is 
because of stories like Larry Tice's that touch our hearts. It is so 
that no more steelworkers will suffer the agony Mr. Tice endured and 
which conquered him. We work to ensure that fair trade conditions exist 
so no more families find themselves agonizing as a loved one worries 
about their livelihood and ability to provide for their family. The 
steel industry is very important to the prosperity of our State and is 
something that touches many West Virginians' lives and our country. My 
deepest sympathy goes out to the Tice family.

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