Dan Kildee: “I rise today to commend Ron Gettelfinger on his leadership of the United Auto Workers for the past 8 years and to wish…”

“I rise today to commend Ron Gettelfinger on his leadership of the United Auto Workers for the past 8 years and to wish him all the best in his retirement. Since 1964, when Ron joined the UAW as a chassis line repairman in Louisville, Kentucky, he began a lifetime of service that led him to become the international president of the UAW in 2002. As president, Ron's leadership has helped guide the organization through some of the most difficult times the auto industry has faced. With his characteristic straight talk and common sense, he has worked with a broad range of stakeholders and has been willing to negotiate to try to find solutions to the recent downturn in the domestic auto industry and help protect our auto communities. This has helped lead to an American auto industry that is well positioned to once again be the economic engine that drives the American recovery. Ron Gettelfinger has been a tireless advocate for American workers and has fought every day to keep American manufacturing jobs from being shipped overseas. I congratulate Ron on his retirement and thank him for his years of advocacy on behalf of American workers. God bless you, Ron. Thank you for all you have done for the UAW, for all you have done for this country.”