The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING RICHARD TRUMKA
______
speech of
HON. TIM RYAN
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Richard Trumka. For those who knew him, Richard personified the integrity and selflessness he carried with him each day, sharing with all that he met. I was privileged to share a friendship with Richard, and when I first came to know him, I was immediately inspired by his passionate and courageous spirit.
I don't think there was a major election in Ohio over the past number of years where Richard was not in Niles or Youngstown or Akron campaigning and energizing union members. I was always impressed about how down to earth he was and how he had the common touch. But he was smart, he understood labor law, he knew the politics of the issues affecting workers and knew what the average worker was facing and the challenges, Most importantly, he understood the process of what needed to happen to make things better.
Richard was a hero of the labor movement and a champion for American Workers. He fought tirelessly to advocate for social and economic justice. As head of the AFL-CIO, he launched initiatives aimed at reaching younger workers, backed the ``Fight for $15'' effort to raise the minimum wage and called for employees to have a voice in ensuring their workplaces have proper safety protocols.
Richard served on the boards of the National Labor College, The AFL-
COP's Solidarity Center, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, among others. He also sat on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute and the Housing Investment Trust and served as President Emeritus of the United Mine Workers. He spent his life working tirelessly as an inspiring advocate for the Catholic social justice principle of honoring the dignity of the worker.
Richard's work has motivated me to continue advocating on behalf of workers and ensuring them a safe and secure future by protecting their ability to organize and collectively bargain. I am forever grateful that I was able to work alongside Richard and witness the impact he had on the American people. His advocacy will live on to empower others to follow in his footsteps in pushing for positive social change.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 189
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