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“JOHN F. HENNING, UNIONIST OF THE YEAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E102-E103 on Jan. 25, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
JOHN F. HENNING, UNIONIST OF THE YEAR
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HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 25, 1996
Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues the illustrious public career of my friend John F. Henning, the executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation of the AFL-CIO. This coming February, Jack will be honored by the men and women of organized labor in Alameda County as this year's
``Unionist of the Year,'' an honor granted each year by the Alameda County Central Labor Council.
Jack Henning has dedicated his life to improving the lot of working men and women throughout the United States. As a young union member, he fought to integrate his local union. His leadership and skills were recognized early, and he was put to work as a union representative for organized labor.
Twenty-one years after graduating from St. Mary's College, he became the director of the California State Department of Industrial Relations--1959-62. His public service career would include contributions as United States Under Secretary of Labor, 1962-67 and United States Ambassador to New Zealand, 1967-69. These extraordinary achievements for one from a working class background allowed the entire Nation and, indeed, the world to witness the skill, vision, and leadership for which Jack has become legendary. They are a testament to the fact that all of our citizens can achieve great goals when the resources and support are available to them.
Jack has made many other public contributions as well--serving on the board of regents of both the University of California and Lone Mountain College (San Francisco) and the board of trustees of St. Mary's College. He has served on several San Francisco City and County commissions and is the past president of both the San Francisco Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men and the St. Mary's College Alumni Association.
Since 1970, Jack has been the executive secretary-treasury of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, and one of the Nation's most respected labor leaders. Under his leadership the labor federation has assumed its rightful place in the coalition of forces that have fought for civil rights for all Americans and an end to apartheid in South Africa. Labor under his leadership helped to secure representation rights for the Nation's farm workers. And, in league with ethical visionaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jack Henning helped to bring the California labor movement into the effort to end our terrible involvement in the war in Indochina.
In this time when we despair so much of a loss of public compassion, diminution of public spiritedness, and the demise of the social contribution, Jack Henning's life continues to shine as a beacon of moral commitment. He is truly one of the Nation's heroes--a man who has without fail pursued equality, justice, and a fair share for working men and women throughout his distinguished career.
I am very proud to share this brief account of the significant career of a very public servant with my colleagues and I commend it as an example for us all.
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