On the recordJune 23, 2010
Thank you. It's really my pleasure to stand here with my good friend Congressman Dingell in honoring the incredible life and career and advocacy of Ron Gettelfinger, who retired just last week after a distinguished union career that began in 1964, when I was just a kid. But I will tell you, for the benefits that all of us as Americans and as workers have received for his good work with the United Auto Workers, we are all grateful. And you don't have to be from Michigan to understand the contributions that Mr. Gettelfinger has made. He has been a fierce advocate on behalf of workers. He understood that in his position as president of the United Auto Workers, he needed to try to address the current needs of his workers as well as the future needs that may come up. In 2006, Mr. Gettelfinger pushed to renew America's grasp on technology and innovation. He called for a renewal of America's industrial base through incentives to manufacture energy-saving advanced technology vehicles right here in the United States. And as a member of the Science and Technology Committee, I can assure you that there is a need for America and a desire for our workforce to do exactly what Mr. Gettelfinger has called for, to be on the cutting edge of this technology. And he has been right there pushing all the time for incentives and innovations. And this isn't new. {time} 1800 Mr.…





