Tribute to Paul Mendrick

TRIBUTE TO PAUL MENDRICK

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the notable accomplishments of Paul Mendrick. This remarkable gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of leadership and invaluable service have improved the lives of countless people.

Paul Mendrick has devoted much of his time, skill and energy to making our State and our community a better place. Born to Joseph and Alice Mendrick in Pueblo, Colorado on October 23, 1948, he graduated from Pueblo South High School and attended classes at Southern Colorado State College. Paul enlisted in the United States Navy in 1970 and served as Yeoman to the Chaplin aboard ship until 1972.

Paul has been a labor leader, political activist and has remained in the vanguard of those dedicated to economic and social justice. During his distinguished career with the United States Postal Service, Paul served in various capacities with the Denver Metro Area Local of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). He served as President from 1976 to 1992 and again from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. Under Paul's leadership, the Denver local became one of the most progressive locals, and he worked diligently to ensure that Postal Workers were represented fairly and their voices were heard in the United States Congress.

Those who know Paul know that fairness for the working people matters. He is well known for being forthright and a skilled leader not only within the APWU, but in the Labor Movement. For Paul, solidarity has meaning. In 1980, when the Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) were on strike, Paul and other labor activists opted to travel to the APWU National Convention in Miami, Florida, by motor home rather than cross picket lines to travel by air. As a board member of the Denver Postal Credit Union, Paul was instrumental in lobbying Congress against a proposed tax levy on credit unions which still stands today. In 1986, he was among the delegates selected by the AFL-CIO to travel to South America to be part of a grassroots movement to build a worldwide Labor movement.

Paul has also dedicated his life to his family and recently became a grandfather. But for all of life's demanding pressures, Paul has found the time to give back to the community, and he has supported numerous charitable causes. He has spent endless hours working on behalf of the Special Olympics in Colorado and for Muscular Dystrophy. The APWU in Denver has always been a yearly participant in the March of Dimes Walk and, under Paul's leadership, the APWU has continually raised money to feed the homeless and take care of those less fortunate.

It comes as no surprise that Paul was recently elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Colorado AFL-CIO and continues to lobby for worker rights and a decent workplace. He has dedicated his life to working people and has brought both respect and dignity to the Labor Movement. He has used his inestimable skills and talents to advance the public good and the well-being of all our people.

Please join me in commending Paul Mendrick, a distinguished citizen. It is the strong leadership he exhibits on a daily basis that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all Americans.