Edolphus Towns: “Thank you very much. I am delighted to come and participate in this special order this evening, to be here with the…”

“Thank you very much. I am delighted to come and participate in this special order this evening, to be here with the longest serving member of the United States House of Representatives, John Dingell. We come tonight to say thank you to Ron Gettelfinger for 40 years of service to the UAW, and 8 years as its president. So I rise in order to honor him tonight because of the outstanding job that Ron was able to do. It is easy to admire Ron by just looking back over his long career. From his early work as a chassis line repairman in 1964 at a Louisville assembly plant to being elected to the United Auto Workers top leadership post in 2002, where he became the face of one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, he has shown a remarkable drive and work ethic that made him a role model as he fought for health care and so many issues that improved the quality of life for so many. Ron was not a selfish person. He felt that if I can help somebody, then my living is not in vain. In addition to his work in the auto industry, he has had a positive effect on Federal and State public policy. Mr. Gettelfinger is a hardworking individual who has been an outspoken advocate for so many good causes. Under his leadership, the UAW also lobbied for new technologies and environmental standards, supporting smart policies for solid jobs, and, of course, clean air. These are issues that have been and continue to be very important to me and the people of the 10th Congressional District.”