THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY EACHUS, BELFANTI, McCALL, D. EVANS, DERMODY, MANN, STURLA, BUXTON, PHILLIPS, GEORGE, DeLUCA, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, DALEY, DONATUCCI, FREEMAN, GEIST, GODSHALL, HENNESSEY, HESS, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, LEVDANSKY, MAHER, MANDERINO, MARKOSEK, McGEEHAN, MICOZZIE, MUNDY, OLIVER, PRESTON, ROEBUCK, SANTONI, STABACK, MATZIE, SIPTROTH, BARBIN, BOYLE, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DEASY, DELOZIER, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, GERGELY, GIBBONS, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HELM, HORNAMAN, KOTIK, KULA, LENTZ, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, MURPHY, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, PETRARCA, READSHAW, REED, SABATINA, SAINATO, SCAVELLO, SEIP, SHAPIRO, M. SMITH, SOLOBAY, VITALI, VULAKOVICH, WAGNER, WATERS, WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD AND YUDICHAK, MAY 21, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 21, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring Bill George, President of the

Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress of

Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), for his distinguished

service and lifelong commitment to Pennsylvania workers.

WHEREAS, At the turn of the 20th century, the American

economy had evolved from a mostly agricultural-based economy to

an industrialized factory-based economy; and

WHEREAS, During that time, most workers labored long hours

for low salaries; workers' compensation, health care and

retirement benefits did not exist; and many children were forced

to work long hours that kept them out of school; and

WHEREAS, The early advocates for improved working conditions

and the rights of American workers united to demand change; and

WHEREAS, As a steelworker, Bill George emerged as a unionist

and a vigorous spokesman for the causes of Pennsylvania workers,

their families and organized labor, and has been an advocate for

equal rights and the dignity of workers for 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was born and raised in Aliquippa,

Pennsylvania, and received his first union card from the United

Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1211 in 1960 when he went

to work in the open hearth furnace department of the massive

Jones & Laughlin Steel; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George immediately became active in union

activities and started his career as a committeeman in the open

hearth; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George began to work his way up the union ranks

and was elected as general grievance officer for the membership

of Local 1211. In this capacity, Mr. George handled grievances

and arbitration for the 11,000 steelworkers of Local 1211; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Mr. George was appointed by former United

Steelworkers of America President I. W. Abel to the

International Staff of the 15-county USWA District 20

headquartered in Baden, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George became the Statewide Secretary-Treasurer

of the USWA Legislative Committee in 1985, directing the

organization's legislative and education program for five years

in Harrisburg; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was elected President of the Pennsylvania

AFL-CIO along with officers Judith Heh and John Vento in 1990;

and

WHEREAS, Mr. George fought for the causes of the Amalgamated

Transit Union (ATU) workers in the Greyhound Strike during the

early 1990s, and in 1991 heroically went to jail fighting for

the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) workers in the

Canonsburg Hospital Strike; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George is admired by his sisters and brothers in

the Pennsylvania labor movement for his courage and commitment

to workers and their families; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. George has received numerous

awards from various groups and organizations throughout this

Commonwealth for his dedication to organized labor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George credits his endurance not only to his

fellow steelworkers with whom he worked in the open hearth and

who stood strong for unity and solidarity, but also to his

mother and father, who were forced out of Aliquippa in the 1920s

by the Jones & Laughlin Iron and Coal Police for his union

activities; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George credits his older brother, Alex, who

served as President of Local 1211, for getting him involved in

union politics; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George is respected by many, including workers,

employers and public officials nationwide, for his persistence

and dedication in pursuing the rights of workers, whether it be

advocating for industrial workers' trade adjustment benefits or

public employees' collective bargaining rights, fighting

deregulation for utility workers, protecting the prevailing

wage, standing up for teachers and public employees or labor

organizing in heath care and academic institutions; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George's 50 years of activism, endurance and

dedication to workers, their families and organized labor is

commendable and worthy of recognition; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize Bill

George, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, for a lifetime of

distinguished service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Mr. George

on his retirement as president of the AFL-CIO, and thank him for

his lifelong commitment to Pennsylvania workers, their families

and organized labor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

Bill George at 2603 North Rosegarden Boulevard, Mechanicsburg,

PA 17055.