E296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 13, 2019 Claus’ dedication to strengthening bonds RECOGNIZING RONALD E. POWELL abled children and adults in the Chicagoland among people of different racial, ethnic, and area. religious backgrounds is truly inspiring. I am HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI Ron is blessed with four ochildren—one of proud to honor and recognize Claus’ leader- OF ILLINOIS whom, Steven, currently serves as President ship and the role he plays in making our com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of Local 881 and an International Vice Presi- munity a better place. The Tidewater Region dent of the UFCW—and many children, grand- Wednesday, March 13, 2019 has significantly benefited from his presence. children and great-grandchildren. He is held in Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, esteem by numerous organizers and union of- f today I rise to honor Ronald E. Powell for a ficials he has mentored over the course of his lifetime of vigorous and effective advocacy career, and the thousands of workers whose PERSONAL EXPLANATION protecting the rights of workers in my home lives have been made better through his ef- state of Illinois, and for working men and forts. women across the United States. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 34,000 HON. SEAN CASTEN Ron’s service in the labor movement began members of Local 881 of the UFCW, and the OF ILLINOIS in 1961, when he was hired as a Field Rep- millions of hard-working men and women of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES resentative for the United Retail Workers the state of Illinois who owe so much to Ron Union (URW). Thanks to his effectiveness as Powell, I offer my thanks for nearly 60 years Wednesday, March 13, 2019 an organizer, he rose quickly through the of dedicated and selfless service to our com- ranks, becoming a Supervisor of Field Staff in munity. Although Ron may have retired from Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I 1968, and the Vice President and Director of his positions with the UFCW, I know he has missed Roll Call vote number 121. Had I been Field Operations in 1973. not retired from his commitment to service, present, I would have voted as follows: H. In 1981, the URW, with a membership total- and on behalf of all Illinoisans and Americans Res. 156, Calling for accountability and justice ing 6,000 workers, affiliated with the United I wish him great success in his next chapter. for the assassination of Boris Nemtsov—Yes. Food and Commercial Workers Union and f formed Local 881 of the UFCW. (The name f ‘‘Local 881’’ was chosen to commemorate the TWENTY YEARS OF REP- RESENTING SOUTH DAKOTA AT RECOGNIZING JIM ROBBINS date of its affiliation—August of 1981.) Ron was elected president of Local 881 in THE NATIONAL LEVEL 1983. Under his leadership, Local 881 has HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER grown to represent 34,000 workers and is one HON. DUSTY JOHNSON of the largest affiliates in the UFCW family of OF SOUTH DAKOTA OF ILLINOIS unions that represent over 1.3 million workers IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES across the world. While managing that growth, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Ron found time to shoulder other responsibil- Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam ities, including serving as Vice President on Speaker, it will be the 20th time Spearfish Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise the International Executive Board of UFCW, High School will represent South Dakota at today to recognize Mr. Jim Robbins, a veteran Vice President of the state of Illinois AFL–CIO, the national ‘‘We the People: The Citizen and of the Marine Corps who honorably served our Chairman of the Illinois State Investment the Constitution’’ competition this spring. country and his community, and who passed Board, and as a member of the Illinois Work- The team won the state competition Thurs- away in January at the age of 90. ers’ Compensation Medical Fee Advisory day at Black Hills State University. Upon graduating from Libertyville High Board, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition ‘‘It’s commendable that you guys do School in 1946, Mr. Robbins immediately en- Authority Board, and the board of Blue Cross this .... I think this will be a memorable ex- listed in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Blue Shield of Illinois. perience for you,’’ Wes Brown, of the Vantage China and Guam in the years following World Ron’s distinguished resume´ does not tell the Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides War II. During his service, Mr. Robbins was full story of his service to our community. He education, training, and support for issues fac- stationed in Tangku, China and was one of has worked tirelessly to advocate for the men ing communities, said. He thanked the stu- the Marines who defended the Hsin Ho Am- and women who provide essential but often in- dents for their hard work, the judges for their munition Supply Depot against attack in April visible services in a world increasingly indif- time, and everyone involved for making the 1947. ferent to their rights and needs. Countless event possible. After returning to the U.S. in 1950, he families are grateful to Ron and the efforts of The We the People program promotes civic served as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Local 881 for improved wages and safety con- competence and responsibility for upper ele- Post 8741’s commander for several years and ditions in industries that include food service mentary and secondary students. The pro- as the Post’s quartermaster for 32 years. He and preparation, meat packing, groceries, gram was created in 1987, directed by the was especially known for his work with young chemical manufacturing and retail. I know Ron Center for Civic Education and funded by the people and recent veterans. takes great pride in the part he played in the U.S. Department of Education under the Edu- recent enactment of the City of Chicago Paid In addition, Mr. Robbins was the primary cation for Democracy Act. Sick Leave Ordinance, extending paid leave During the competition, student units take leader in making the veterans’ monument in protection for the first time to thousands of on simulated congressional hearing questions, Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville a reality. workers (and UFCW members) who live in our demonstrating their knowledge and under- Every Memorial Day, Jim read off the names community. standing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights of former Libertyville township residents who Both personally and in furtherance of his and current constitutional issues. Each unit had died in service to our nation at a commu- work for the UFCW, Ron has been civically prepares a four-minute statement to present to nity observance ceremony. He viewed this as engaged, serving as a Trustee on the Village the panel of judges acting as a congressional a great honor and carefully wrote down their Board of Mundelein, and as a delegate to the committee, and they then answer follow-up names phonetically in a personal notebook to Democratic National Convention. Over the questions posed by the committee members. ensure he properly pronounced the name of years Ron has supported countless can- The units are scored on understanding, Con- each fallen hero. didates that were committed to protecting the stitutional application, reasoning, supporting In his professional life, Mr. Robbins was a rights of working men and women, including a evidence, responsiveness, and participation. contract glazing salesman for 30 years. He young United States Senator named Barack The Spearfish team is made up of seniors also worked with the Lake County Forest Pre- Obama who ultimately served two terms as Lily Dennison, Gene Glover, Paxton Klug, serve for many years at the Fox River Pre- President of the United States. Rigel Roberdeau, Kenna Comer, Kennedy serve. He leaves behind two children, five be- Many charities owe thanks to Ron as well. Kaitfors, Rylee Niesent, Taylor Hersch, Justin loved grandchildren, and several nieces and Under his stewardship, the Local 881 Chari- Steedley, Hannah Tysdal, Ana Buchholz, nephews. table Foundation has been a strong supporter Peter Marich, Morgan Roberts, Zach Tipton, It is my great honor and privilege to recog- of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ron Sophia Caldwell, Nathan Davis, Thomas nize the life of Jim Robbins and thank him for also organized fundraising efforts for Jackson Friedrich, Ella Neiman, Tim Doerges, Izzy his service to our country and tireless work on Park Hospital in Chicago and the Little City Drumm, Jay Sayler, and Chelsea Williams. behalf of other veterans in our community. Foundation, which serves developmentally dis- Patrick Gainey teaches the class. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Mar 14, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A13MR8.003 E13MRPT1 dlhill on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS.