[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14967]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES A. STEM

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, I want to talk about an incredible 
champion of America's railroads. James A. Stem, Jr., has been a 
tireless advocate for the men and women who keep our Nation's railroads 
operating for nearly 50 years. He has done just about every job in the 
industry and will soon be retiring as the national legislative director 
of the Transportation Division of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, 
Transportation Workers, formerly the United Transportation Union, UTU.
  James began his career in 1966 as a trainman for the Seaboard Air 
Line Railroad in his native Raleigh, NC. He joined the Brotherhood of 
Railroad Trainmen and worked in numerous capacities including as a 
trainman, switchman, hostler helper, hostler, fireman, and locomotive 
engineer. He even holds seniority as a locomotive engineer on a CSX 
line.
  In the 1970s, James became much more involved in rail labor in North 
Carolina for the United Transportation Union. He was a delegate to five 
UTU International conventions and was eventually elected as the North 
Carolina State legislative director in 1984. He would go on to become 
the UTU alternate national legislative director in 1998, serving 
alongside a legend, James Brunkenhoefer--also known as ``Brokenrail.'' 
James was elevated to national legislative director in 2009. In 2011, 
United Transportation Union and Sheet Metal Workers International 
Association merged to become the International Association of Sheet 
Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. James continued his work 
with an even larger membership, now more than 216,000 strong.
  James has frequently testified before Congress, always advocating for 
the betterment of working men and women in the railroad industry. He 
was part of the original 1997 Positive Train Control Working Group 
sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration.
  James has been a great defender of Amtrak and commuter rail and a 
strong proponent of high speed rail. When cuts threatened the 
effectiveness of passenger rail, James fought to block them on Capitol 
Hill. When railroad workers needed improved health and safety benefits, 
James was there. He has tirelessly advocated for the working men and 
women on the railroads, making sure they have good paying jobs, proper 
health care, and a solid retirement.
  James' influence can be felt at almost every level of government, 
within the industry, and inside rail labor. Two of his former UTU 
colleagues currently serve as Federal Railroad Administrator and 
Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board. Both will tell you that 
without James's leadership and friendship, they would not be where they 
are today.
  It is with great pride that I congratulate James A. Stem, Jr. for his 
long career in the railroad industry and for the incalculable 
contributions he made there. I wish James and his wife Bonnie well in 
their retirement and hope they are able to enjoy extended family time 
with their children and grandchildren.

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