Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man of great dedication and loyalty to the working men and women of America. Mr. Ron Gettelfinger recently retired from his position as President of the United Auto Workers and I want to take this opportunity to honor him for his longtime advocacy for the American worker. Mr. Gettelfinger began his union involvement in 1964 as a chassis line repairman at the Ford Motor Company's Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky. Twenty years later, following his election as com- mitteeperson and, soon thereafter, bargaining chair, he was elected president of Local Union 862. He took on greater and greater responsibility in the UAW, serving as director, vice president, and starting in 2002, president of the union. He was reelected for second term in 2006. However, in 2009, he announced he would retire at the end of his second term as president. Mr. Gettelfinger's accomplishments include, but certainly are not limited to, his steadfast determination which aided him in his fight for both labor protection in fair trade agreements and affordable health care for all. Most notably, Mr. Gettelfinger proved himself a strong leader during the most serious economic downfall in decades, when he negotiated tirelessly with corporate leaders in order to protect his workers' rights. Mr.…”