The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO HENRY L. ``HANK'' LACAYO” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1468 on July 30, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO HENRY L. ``HANK'' LACAYO
______
HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 30, 2001
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Henry L. ``Hank'' Lacayo, an outstanding individual who has dedicated his life to public service and social activism. On august 5, 2001, the Destino 2000 Vision Committee and the Ventura County Community Foundation will celebrate Hank's 70th birthday and will honor him for his many years of service on behalf of the people of Ventura county, the State of California, and the Nation.
For more than 45 years, Hank has distinguished himself as a union representative for the United Auto Workers and as a recognized national labor leader throughout the United States. After serving in the Air force, he went to work at North American Aviation's Los Angeles Division.
I had the privilege of meeting Hank during the early 1960s when he was elected President of UAW Local 887 which represented more than 30,000 workers at North American Aviation. Although at that time we were on opposite sides of two political factions, in retrospect the differences that loomed large then now seem pointless. Throughout the years that followed, we worked well together on many important labor issues.
Hank was one of the early supporters of Cesar Chavez and helped convince the UAW to give the farm workers much needed financial assistance. In 1974, the UAW recognized Hank's excellent work and named him Administrative Assistant to then-UAW President Leonard Woodcock. He was later appointed National Director of the UAW's political and legislative department. Hank would later go on to serve within numerous presidential administrations, beginning with President Kennedy, as a labor relations advisor.
In addition to his work with labor unions, Hank has been active in the Latino community. He is a founder and National President Emeritus of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Furthermore, Hank helped found the Mid-West-North-East Voter Education Project (today the US Hispanic Leadership Institute) and served as its first President and Chairman of the Board. He was also the first Latino to serve on the prestigious US Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
Hank has been recognized on numerous occasions and has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards. These include the Walter P. Reuther UAW Distinguished Award, the National Hero Award (US Hispanic Leadership Institute) and the Patriotic Service Award (US Department of Commerce). These accolades and the tribute from the Destino 2000 Vision Committee and Ventura County Community Foundation all recognize Hank's devotion and commitment to the plight of workers.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Hank and his wife Leah have raised four wonderful children. It is my distinct pleasure to ask my colleagues to join with me in wishing Henry L.
``Hank'' Lacayo a happy 70th birthday and in saluting him for his years of public service.
____________________
