On the recordJune 23, 2010
I would like to thank Congressman Dingell for hosting this special hour this evening where we can pay tribute to an outstanding leader, businessman and champion of organized labor, Mr. Ron Gettelfinger. I came to Congress with the promise of standing up for workers' rights, a mission that Ron has crusaded for since his days as an assemblyman for the Ford Motor Company. His leadership has influenced my approach to policy and enhanced the vision of organized labor. Ron's 8 years as president of the UAW have ushered in a number of defining accomplishments for the American worker. He fought vigorously to assure worker protections in major trade agreements while understanding that a reformed health care system will better serve America's workforce and our entire country. Ron's success is defined by a willingness to work with industry and construct bipartisan agreements that achieve results, a strategy I admire and wish we would see more of here in Congress. As we emerge from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Ron's leadership has been stalwart. As Americans see thousands of jobs headed overseas, Ron made sure that well-paying jobs stayed right here in the United States of America. At a time when workers' rights were in jeopardy, Ron never thought to back down or make concessions. That's real leadership. Ron, on behalf of the working men and women of my district in western Pennsylvania and all organized labor, thank you.
