[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24498]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO RICK DIEGEL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 17, 2007

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rick 
Diegel. Rick is the Political and Legislative Director for the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and is retiring at the 
end of this month.
  Rick Diegel exemplifies the best in an American worker and advocate 
for the American worker. He has been an electrician and member of his 
union for 37 years. After rising to the position of Business Agent for 
IBEW Local Union 278 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Rick Diegel left his 
Texas home in 1983 to accept a job with his international office. Over 
the last 24 years in Washington, DC, Rick has risen to the position of 
Legislative and Political Director of the IBEW.
  When discussing a matter before Congress, one got an education from 
Rick Diegel. You knew you were listening to someone who came, as Rick 
has often said, ``out of the tools.'' Having worked and gained 
experience at every level, Rick did not let the issues of Washington, 
DC affect his vision and mission of helping American laborers. For 
Rick, the only question was and remains: `Is this good for IBEW 
members?' And those members are electricians in the construction 
industry, they are utility workers, railroad workers, telecommunication 
workers, broadcast and government workers.
  His easy manner and ready smile could break the tension in any room, 
but those who know him best never made the mistake of underestimating 
his passion and his commitment to the matter at hand. He has been on 
the front line for a very long time and he will be missed. I wish Rick 
a long and happy retirement.

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