[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18566-18567]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JUDY O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who has 
dedicated 27 years to serving the labor community in Oregon.
  Judy O'Connor joined the Northwest Oregon Labor Council as an office 
worker in 1982, and her skills and dedication to the union movement 
quickly led to her promotion to office manager. She joined the Office 
and Professional Employees International Union Local 11 and was an 
energetic advocate for office secretaries as part of OPEIU's executive 
committee.
  Though she had no experience with the labor movement prior to joining 
the Northwest Oregon Labor Council, Judy became a tireless activist for 
union causes. She volunteered for political campaigns, coordinated the 
council's Speakers in the Schools program, and appeared before the 
Oregon legislature to testify for improved job safety. She also 
graduated from Union Counselor course at Labor's Community Service 
Agency and served as chair of the IBEW and United Worker's Federal 
Credit Union.
  In 1998, Judy was the first woman elected to the position of the 
Northwest Oregon Labor Council's executive secretary-treasurer, heading 
the largest central labor council in Oregon. During her tenure as 
executive secretary-treasurer, she has led over 100 constituent unions 
in promoting workers' rights through times of economic growth and 
decline.
  Judy will be retiring in September and plans to return to Montana, 
where she was raised. Oregon will be losing an important voice for 
workers, but I hope that Judy is able to have some well-earned 
relaxation. I want to thank her for her service to the labor community 
here in Oregon and wish her and her family all the best.

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