[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28469]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WALTER P. REUTHER'S BIRTH AND THE 
                 REDEDICATION OF REUTHER MIDDLE SCHOOL

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the birth of a great civic leader, Walter P. Reuther, 
and the rededication of Reuther Middle School in Rochester Hills, 
Michigan on October 28, 2007.
  Mr. Reuther grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia where he learned the 
value and practicality of trade unionism. After serving an 
apprenticeship in tool and die work, he left for Detroit to complete 
his education and join the automobile industry with both Ford and 
General Motors. Mr. Reuther became an active member of the United 
Automobile Workers (UAW), where he eventually became president of the 
UAW Local 174 and a member of the UAW executive board. In 1946, Mr. 
Reuther was elected president of the UAW, a position he held until his 
passing in 1970.
  As president of the UAW, Mr. Reuther worked to enhance job security, 
medical insurance, pensions, and supplemental unemployment benefits for 
the union members. Mr. Reuther used his position to influence far more 
than just labor policies. He stood beside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
as he delivered his historic ``I Have a Dream Speech'' and was a strong 
supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. For all of his contributions 
Mr. Reuther was named in TIME magazine's list of the 100 most 
influential people of the 20th century.
  Reuther Middle School, part of the Rochester Community School 
Community, was named in honor of May and Walter Reuther for their 
service to the school community. Opened in 1973, Reuther Junior High, 
as it was then named, taught 750 students in grades seven through nine. 
In 1986, the Rochester Community Schools changed to a middle school 
philosophy, serving grades six through eight, and changing the name to 
Reuther Middle School.
  In the 2003-2004 school year, the citizens of Rochester Community 
School District approved a bond measure to renovate Reuther Middle 
School. On October 28, 2007, Reuther Middle School will be officially 
rededicated, celebrating not only their 35th school year, but also the 
100th anniversary of Mr. Walter P. Reuthers' birth.
  Madam Speaker, today I commend Reuther Middle School for their 
continued devotion to the community and their record of excellence. Let 
the school continue to be a tribute to a great civic and social leader, 
Mr. Walter P. Reuther.

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