[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8944] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO MARCY VACURA SAUNDERS ______ HON. TOM LANTOS of california in the house of representatives Thursday, May 6, 1999 Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marcy Vacura Saunders, the first woman to serve as Labor Commissioner in the State of California. Ms. Saudners' much deserved appointment to this position is an important milestone for working people and to Californians, and a tribute to her remarkable career and lifelong commitment to organized labor. Ms. Saunders began her professional life as a flight attendant, and achieved the esteemed rank of Acting Chairperson of the Independent Federation of Flight Attendants. She led a successful National Boycott of Conscience against TWA's Carl Icahn. In 1987, Ms. Saunders joined the Building and Trades Council of San Mateo County. In 1993, she became the first and only woman in the United States to be elected Business Manager of a building trades council. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Saunders' tireless and unwavering efforts on behalf of the Council membership have assured the gainful employment of countless Californians and improved the quality of life of many Bay Area families. In 1994, under Ms. Saunders' leadership, the Building and Trades Council stimulated a stagnant economy in the City of East Palo Alto through the formation of the East Palo Alto Building & Trades Alliance. In 1996, she helped to obtain resolutions from 12 cities and the County of San Mateo supporting California's prevailing wage laws. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Saunders has demonstrated a tireless commitment to our community through her extraordinary volunteer service to organizations such as the United Way, the San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the San Mateo County Exposition & Fair Association Board, the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, the Redwood City Library Foundation, the San Mateo County/Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, the Soroptimist International, the San Mateo County Economic Vitality Partnership, the Shelter Network, LEADERSHIP San Mateo/Foster City/Burlingame/Hillsborough, START (San Mateo Recruitment and Training), and the Private Industry Council. Ms. Saunders has been recognized for her selfless service as the recipient of the Soroptimist International's Women Helping Women Award, the Woman Of Economic and Social Development Award, the San Mateo County Labor Council C.O.P.E. Award, the United Way Labor Leadership Outstanding Volunteer Award, and the Mary Moshey Outstanding Community Volunteer Award. In 1994, Ms. Saunders was inducted into the San Meteo County Women's Hall of Fame as a tribute to her extraordinary achievements. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Marcy Vacura Saunder's exemplary professional and personal accomplishments, Governor Gray Davis selected her as the Golden State's top advocate for working people. I commend and pledge my continued support to a most remarkable woman, whom I am honored to call my friend, and whom San Mateo County is proud to call its own--California State Labor Commissioner, Marcy Vacura Saunders. ____________________