[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17943]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                          WILLIAM C. WAGGONER

  (Ms. TITUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my friend William C. 
Waggoner, a legendary union leader and a tireless advocate for the 
hardworking men and women who have built this country.
  Mr. Waggoner first joined the Operating Engineers in 1951, and he 
rose through the ranks to occupy the highest office in the local union, 
business manager, which is the position he held for 40 years. While 
there, he established the cutting-edge Crane Operators Training 
program, which became the model nationwide.
  Mr. Waggoner is known as a fighter for workers and their families. He 
believes in fairness above all and has consistently pushed for safety 
in the workplace, for fair wages and benefits, and for the right to 
collectively bargain.
  Away from the union hall, he remains devoted to his wife, Patty, and 
his family, and he is committed to his community of Long Beach, 
California. Many Little League Baseball players and children with 
special needs have greatly benefited from his generosity.
  I humbly thank him for his tireless service, congratulate him on a 
career well spent, and wish him the best in retirement.
  Now, don't be a stranger, Wag. You are welcome anytime in Las Vegas--
a proud union town.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one 
minute, and to revise and extend my remarks.
  I rise to honor my friend, William C. Waggoner, a legendary union 
leader and tireless advocate for the hard working men and women who 
built this country.
  Bill first joined the International Union of Operating Engineers in 
1951 and immediately rose through the ranks, starting as a bulldozer 
operator before becoming a Foreman, Steward, Advisory Board Member, 
Business Representative, and District Representative for Southern 
Nevada and Orange County. In 1970 he was elected as President of IUOE 
Local 12, and in 1976 he was named to the highest office in the local 
union, Business Manager, a position he held for 40 years.
  As Business Manager, Mr. Waggoner served as Trustee for Local 12's 
Pension, Health & Welfare, Vacation-Holiday, and Apprenticeship Trusts, 
and established state-of-the-art training centers, including the 
cutting-edge Crane Operators Training Program, which has become the 
model for all crane training in the nation.
  In addition to his work with IUOP Local 12, Bill served as a Vice 
President of the California Federation of Labor, General Vice President 
of the International Operating Engineers, and President of the Western 
Conference of Operating Engineers.
  Bill is known far and wide as a fighter for workers and their 
families. He believes in fairness above all. As his adversaries will 
tell you, he is an outstanding negotiator, always keeping the concerns 
and rights of his members at the forefront. He has consistently pushed 
for safety in the workplace, fair wages and benefits, and the right to 
collectively bargain.
  Away from the union hall, Bill remains devoted to his wife Patty and 
his family and committed to his local community of Long Beach, 
California. Many Little League Baseball players and children with 
special needs have greatly benefited from his generosity. His awards 
are too numerous to mention but I know he is especially proud of being 
named ``Man of the Year'' by the Kern-Inyo Mono Counties Building 
Trades Council.
  Jack Henning, retired Secretary Treasurer of the California Labor 
Federation, said Bill ``represents the finest traditions of the 
American Labor Movement.'' I could not agree more. He has been there 
for me throughout my political career and for the working families I 
proudly represent.
  I humbly thank him for his tireless service; congratulate him on a 
career well spent; and wish him the best in his retirement. Don't be a 
stranger, Wag. You're always welcome in Las Vegas, a strong union town.

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