[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE HONORING LINDA CHAVEZ-THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, we rise today to honor the life and 
accomplishments of Linda Chavez-Thompson, a San Antonio resident who 
will be honored this Friday by the San Antonio AFL-CIO for her 
achievements and contributions to our community.
  A native of Lubbock, Ms. Chavez-Thompson has been an integral part of 
the American labor movement for 40 years. In 1995, she made history 
when she was elected Executive Vice-President of the AFL-CIO, the first 
Hispanic to hold one of the organization's three highest offices. She 
currently serves as executive vice-president emerita and remains 
committed to delivering economic and social justice to all Americans.
  Over the course of her life she has partnered with many organizations 
on behalf of civil and human rights, including those of women, 
immigrant Americans, and the LGBT community. And as she continues to 
work to better the world around her, her current projects include 
starting a scholarship fund for children of union members and 
developing a future leadership initiative.
  The city of San Antonio, the State of Texas, and our entire country 
have reaped the benefits of her hard work and lifelong commitment to 
justice and equality, and we could not be more grateful for her 
contributions. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez and I are honored to know her 
as a friend, and we congratulate Ms. Chavez-Thompson for all of her 
achievements and this well deserved recognition.

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