[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE WALTER REUTHER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the three 
individuals being honored with the 2008 Walter Reuther Distinguished 
Service Award. On October 9th, the United Auto Workers will bestow the 
award on Berteen Ewles, Jimmie Wells and Ron Lane.
  The UAW presents the Walter Reuther Distinguished Service Award to 
those individuals that exemplify commitment to their union and their 
community. Walter Reuther believed in helping working people, human 
dignity and social justice and recipients of the Distinguished Service 
Award carry on Walter Reuther's ideals.
  Berteen Ewles is the President of Local 1811. She is responsible for 
over 700 members scattered at 13 companies. She has been involved in 
the Technical, Office and Professional sector of the UAW since 1986. 
She is also active with the Greater Flint Area CAP Council, the 
Michigan Democratic Party, state-wide organizing, and contract 
negotiations. In 2007 she received a YWCA Woman of Achievement award on 
behalf of the UAW Region 1-C.
  Jimmie Wells has been a member of the UAW since 1986. She has served 
as the Vice President of Local 1811, as President of TOP, she has 
served on the Executive Board, the Women's Committee, as an Alternative 
UAW Convention Delegate, on the Constitutional By-laws Committee and 
the Education Committee. In addition, Jimmie has extensive civic 
involvement in community-based organizations.
  Ron Lane conceived the idea of union representation at FJ Grafik, 
Inc. in 1986. This vision led to the employees achieving their first 
UAW contract two years later. Ron has served the UAW as the Region 1-C 
IPS Council Vice President, the Council District Chair, the Local 1811 
Sergeant at Arms, and the Bargaining Chair. He has served on several 
committees at both the Local and Region 1-C levels. He is the liaison 
for all union represented accounts and local officials accounts for FJ 
Grafik.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Berteen, Jimmie and 
Ron as they receive the Walter Reuther Distinguished Service Award. May 
they continue their work on behalf of workers for many, many years to 
come.

                          ____________________