October 26, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1467 the New Jersey Business & Industry Associa- consulting firm where he was a recognized Representatives. Just as important as the tion; the Chemical Industry Council of New thought leader in marketing and sales strat- work he performed over the years, Dave Jersey; United Way of Morris County; the egy. He and his wife Sona take great pride in passed along his extensive logistics and fur- Community Soup Kitchen; the Morris County their three daughters, two sons-in-law and first niture experience to his staff and coworkers as Airport Advisory Committee; the Somerset grandchild. a mentor. Hills YMCA and other organizations. Rich is honored as humanitarian, visionary, On behalf of the entire House, I congratu- In 2012, Paul was nominated by Governor and exemplary Pelham Civic. It is no wonder late Dave for his many years of dedication and Chris Christie and confirmed by the New Jer- then why the Civics have decided to honor outstanding contributions to this institution. I sey State Senate to serve with six other com- Rich at their 2018 Dinner Dance. He is most wish him many wonderful years of fulfillment missioners on the Public Employment Rela- deserving of the recognition. I want to con- with family and community in his retirement. tions Commission (PERC). PERC is a state gratulate Rich on this wonderful honor and f administrative agency charged with admin- thank him for all he has accomplished on be- istering the New Jersey Employer-Employee half of Pelham and its residents. HONORING JOHN H. DIRZIUS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIRE- Relations Act. The agency deals with certain f labor relations issues involving public employ- MENT ers, public employees, and unions that rep- CONGRATULATING CHARLES resent public employees. DAVID WOODBURN HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO Paul is a strong team player with a proven OF CONNECTICUT track record of successfully working with cross HON. STENY H. HOYER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES functional teams, and worked closely with OF MARYLAND Friday, October 26, 2018 Chamber staff, Cabinet members and general IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me membership. His leadership has been invalu- Friday, October 26, 2018 able to New Jersey and to the preservation great pleasure to rise today to join the many and expansion of Picatinny Arsenal in Rock- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratu- family, friends, and colleagues who have gath- away Township, and multiple programs that late Charles David Woodburn, Jr. on his retire- ered to extend my heartfelt congratulations to serve active duty servicemen and women, ment on November 2 after thirty-four years of my dear friend, John H. Dirzius, as he marks their families, and veterans. distinguished service to this House. his retirement from the American Postal Work- Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our col- Charles David ‘‘Dave’’ Woodburn, Jr. was ers Union. In his nearly fifty years of union leagues join me in congratulating Paul on the first hired by former Clerk of the House Donn service, John has been a strong advocate for occasion of his retirement from the Morris Anderson in September 1984 as a Sales Clerk his members. His commitment and dedication County Chamber of Commerce. in the Office Supply Store. He moved through have made a difference for thousands of work- the ranks of Special Order Clerk, Purchasing ing families and I have no doubt his leadership f Department, to Inventory Control Specialist will be missed. HONORING RICHARD DAVIDIAN from 1984–2002. When the Chief Administra- John began his postal career in the Post Of- tive Office underwent a reorganization, Dave fice of Seymour, Connecticut in 1970. As one HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL joined the furniture organization. might remember, the 1970’s were a trans- OF NEW YORK Dave has always been recognized as a dili- formative time in our culture with a number of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gent and hard worker, with a strong work unique fashion and hair trends for both men ethic. In the furniture organization he held and women. Just two years into his postal ca- Friday, October 26, 2018 many positions, including Supervisor and Man- reer, John was issued a notice of removal for Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the Pelham com- ager for Receiving and Warehousing. Eventu- having, in the opinion of the local Postmaster, munity of which I represent is very fortunate to ally, he was asked to serve as the Director of ‘‘long hair.’’ Taking issue with the ‘‘reasoning’’ have so many active and involved members the Logistics and Distribution Department. This behind the notice for removal, John sought to working to improve the neighborhood. One of department was expanded to include Receiv- file a union grievance and soon learned that those individuals, Richard Davidian, has had ing and Warehousing, Logistics and Distribu- working in such a small office did not offer the an especially impactful role for students in tion, and Workflow Management. In addition to greatest of union representation. Eventually, Pelham’s exceptional school system. these duties, since 2008, Dave has played an John filed an EEOC complaint and won his job A long-time Pelham Civic Member and Offi- integral role in the Business Continuity and back—and it was this incident that marked the cer, Rich, as he is better known, created and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) team with the U.S. start of his 46-year career in the postal union. chaired one of the most successful programs House of Representatives. His official title is In his earliest years, John played a major in Pelham Civics’ history—Help a Child, Capability Manager, responsible for providing role in the merging of Seymour’s small Local Change A Life Student Development Initiative. logistical support and furniture needs for all with that of the larger Local in New Haven, This revolutionary program focuses on stu- House emergency preparedness activities. creating what would be the first of many Area dents (K–12) from economically challenged One notable contribution that Dave made to Locals in the newly merged American Postal households providing access to learning tools the House was his participation in the October Workers Union. In 1973, John was appointed and skill development programs designed to 17, 2001 ‘‘Response Project’’ related to the as a union organizer and within a few years, move them closer to their true potential. Noth- anthrax incident on Capitol Hill. All Members, the New Haven Area Local was well on its ing like this had been done before, and the Committees, and Staff were able to be relo- way to becoming one of the largest in the program rapidly grew across the entire district cated to an alternate location, and Dave and APWU. Never forgetting his early roots as a touching all the schools and grades. his team were responsible for all logistical as- postal worker in Seymour, John steadily rose The results were unprecedented—Elemen- pects of this project. He was commended for through the ranks, serving in various leader- tary school students who were performing far his contribution to this effort while ensuring ship positions within the Local and State below benchmark, were now performing at that the business of the House went forward APWU. He served for over two decades as benchmark; Middle school and high school unhindered. Dave and his team have also the President of the Greater Connecticut Area students who were failing multiple classes been at the forefront of the Cannon Renewal Local, representing postal workers employed were now passing, and some were achieving Project since 2013. He received the CAO in more than two-hundred facilities throughout honors, and high honor roll; Students were Knowledge Award, presented by Chief Admin- the state, before his appointment as the North- now attending advanced placement courses, istrative Officer Jay Eagan in 2007, for his ex- east Regional Coordinator—a position in and college courses. Rich was honored by the tensive knowledge of the House and its oper- which he has served for the last eight years. Board of Education with the Thomas B. ations. John’s commitment to the labor movement Fenlon Award, which was usually given to re- Dave plans to spend his retirement years has extended far beyond the APWU. He has tiring Board of Education members. with his still very active parents, his wife of been an active member of the AFL–CIO, once In addition, Rich chaired the Pelham Civics fourteen years, Marie, and his six children and serving as a State Federation Vice-President, Good Neighbors Program for 12 years, where ten grandchildren. He has said how much he he is a past Vice-President of the Greater his exemplary diligence and attention to detail, is looking forward to returning to his home- New Haven CT Labor Council and has volun- combined with his compassion and commit- town of Leonardtown, in Maryland’s Fifth Dis- teered as a community mediator. In addition to ment, was a tremendous source of comfort trict, where he was born and raised, after a all of this, John has also found the time to vol- and hope. Rich is a Retired Partner of a global long and storied career with the House of unteer his time with numerous civic and youth VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:40 Oct 27, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26OC8.054 E26OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E1468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 26, 2018 organizations including the United Way of coordinator, she advocates for policies that in the region, including sowing sectarian divi- Greater New Haven.