[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10659]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MARGARET BLACKSHERE

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Margaret Blackshere, 
a woman for whom I have great respect and admiration.
  Margaret Blackshere has been involved in the labor movement for more 
than 40 years and remains deeply committed to helping the working 
families of Illinois. Until February, she served as president of the 1-
million-member strong Illinois AFL-CIO, the third-largest state labor 
body in the country.
  Over the years, she has never been afraid to roll up her sleeves and 
join the picket line or to lead the march.
  Margaret always arrived first and left last.
  She knows that America's working men and women--those who perform 
some of the most demanding yet vital tasks in our society--are the real 
heroes. For her, her service has been a privilege an opportunity to 
fight for rights she believes should be guaranteed.
  Margaret didn't start out to be a labor leader; she began her career 
as a kindergarten teacher in Madison, IL. She became involved in the 
labor movement almost by accident, after she and her fellow teachers 
were repeatedly passed over for raises they had earned. In response, 
she and her colleagues mobilized to pass a referendum that would raise 
their wages. It wasn't just about the money. It was about having a 
voice.
  This early effort led to a job with the local Illinois Federation of 
Teachers affiliate in Madison. Through hard work, Margaret rose to 
become statewide vice president of the IFT.
  In 1993, she was elected secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. 
At the time, there were only a handful of female officers in State 
labor federations, and Margaret stood out as the only female officer 
from an industrialized State. In 2000, she was elected president of the 
Illinois AFL-CIO--the first woman to serve as president in the State 
federation's 102-year history.
  Under Margaret Blackshere's leadership, the Illinois AFL-CIO helped 
lead the fight to raise Illinois' minimum wage--not once but twice.
  Margaret also led passionate efforts to guarantee women equal pay for 
equal work, to expand health care, and to improve Illinois' workers' 
compensation system.
  She has a gift for uniting people from diverse backgrounds, with very 
different viewpoints, under a common goal. This is no easy task, and 
one that many politicians regularly attempt but often fail.
  Margaret recognized the importance of forming an alliance with the 
Illinois Manufacturers Association and helped to save and create 
Illinois manufacturing jobs.
  She also helped to establish the Transportation for Illinois 
Coalition, which included groups as diverse as the Illinois Automobile 
Asphalt and Pavement Association and the Chicago Transit Authority, to 
speak with a unified voice for Illinois' transportation funding needs.
  As Margaret fought for Illinois' working families, she raised her own 
family and has two sons and four grandchildren.
  She also devotes a great deal of time to charitable organizations. 
She has served on the boards of a wide variety of institutions, 
including the Illinois branches of United Way and American Red Cross, 
Alliance for Retired Americans, Voices for Illinois Children, 
Unemployment Insurance Advisory Board, and the Federal Reserve Board of 
Chicago. She also is a board member of the Illinois Women's Institute 
for Leadership, which helps prepare women with progressive values run 
for political office.
  Over the years, Margaret has received many accolades and awards. In 
2000, the Labor Council for Latin Advancement honored her with the 
Labor Leader Award, and the State of Israel presented her with the 
Israel Peace Medal. Margaret also received the Protector of Working 
People Award in 2002 from the Illinois State Crime Commission. Always 
proud of her Irish heritage, Margaret was delighted to be the Guest of 
Honor for Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2003.
  Margaret says that she doesn't really intend to retire--she will 
still be fighting the same fights but will do so as a volunteer. She 
believes her future efforts will involve reaching out to workers in 
countries across the globe.
  Mr. President, I would like to congratulate Margaret Blackshere on 
her retirement and thank her for her efforts to protect working 
families in Illinois and across the country. I wish her the very best 
in her future endeavors.

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