[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JOHN F. HEGARTY, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE POSTAL MAIL 
                             HANDLERS UNION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2015

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John F. Hegarty, in 
recognition of his outstanding contributions to the National Postal 
Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) and the United States Postal Service 
(USPS). John retired on May 1, 2015 and has moved back to his beloved 
Western Massachusetts.
  The son of Charles and Ann Marie Hegarty, John was born on January 
31, 1955 in Holyoke but grew up on Rupert Street in Springfield, before 
moving his family to Wilbraham, MA, where he currently resides.
  Mr. Speaker, John Hegarty attended Commerce High School. After 
graduation like many of his contemporaries he sought work. He worked at 
Titeflex in Springfield and started his union career as a steward 
(Teamsters Union) representing his fellow workers. John left Titeflex 
in 1985 when the USPS called and he started his Postal career.
  John was National President of the National Postal Mail Handlers 
Union from July 2002 to his retirement. He was re-elected to that 
position by acclamation of the delegates to the Union's National 
Conventions in 2004, 2008, and 2012. In this capacity, John is the 
chief spokesperson for the NPMHU in national bargaining with the USPS.
  For the ten years prior to becoming National President, John served 
as Administrative Vice President for the General Mail Facility/Bulk 
Mail Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. He then became President of 
Local 301 in New England, one of the largest local unions affiliated 
with the NPMHU, covering six states. In addition, beginning in 1996, he 
also served on the NPMHU National Executive Board of the NPHMU's parent 
union, the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA).
  Mr. Speaker, John Hegarty is known for his generous spirit and kind 
heart. He has had the good fortune to be married to his wife, 
Constance, for thirty-three years. John and Connie are proud parents of 
two children, two grandchildren with a third on the way.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to join with John Hegarty's 
family, friends, and contemporaries to thank him for his extraordinary 
service to the National Postal Mail Handlers and the United States 
Postal Service.

                          ____________________