On the recordJune 23, 2010
On behalf of working men and women of the Sixth District of Massachusetts, I rise today to commend Ron Gettelfinger for his extraordinary service and leadership during his recently completed tenure as president of the United Auto Workers of America. Over the last 8 years, Ron Gettelfinger has helped steer his brothers and sisters in organized labor through one of the most difficult economic periods in history with great statesmanship and considerable care. And despite the unprecedented challenges the auto industry has faced, the UAW has emerged from the recent crisis well-positioned for the future thanks in no small measure to Ron's vision and leadership. Ron's tenure at the UAW was marked by a string of victories for American workers and their families. An outspoken advocate to make health care accessible and affordable for all Americans, Ron played a critical role in helping to see health care reform enacted into law. He fought for children's health insurance and fair pay legislation, labor protections in fair trade agreements, and championed retaining manufacturing jobs here in the United States through investments in advanced technology vehicles. And through the most serious economic downturn since the Great Depression and the loss of thousands of jobs to companies overseas, Ron Gettelfinger always worked to ensure that UAW workers and their families were treated fairly.
