[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 23390-23391] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING RICHARD LACOSSE ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE UPPER PENINSULA LABOR HALL OF FAME ______ HON. BART STUPAK of michigan in the house of representatives Monday, September 29, 2008 Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard (Dick) LaCosse on his induction into Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. A resident of Escanaba, Michigan, Mr. LaCosse will be honored at the U.P. Labor Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on October 11, 2008. I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in honoring Mr. LaCosse on this momentous occasion. Richard LaCosse began his career in 1969 when he went to work at Mead Paper in Escanaba, Michigan. He joined United Paperworkers International Union, UPIU, Local 110, which is now United Steelworkers, USW, Local 2-21. Dick LaCosse quickly became actively involved in his local union and soon became a shop steward. He was appointed to the position of Chief Steward and vice president in June 1978 and was elected president of the local union in January 1981. In August 1983, he was appointed to the position of international representative. During his 25 years with the International Union he served at one time or another as: a member of the Delta County Trades and Labor Council; member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Peninsula Labor/ Management Council, including a term as its president; chairman of the Niagara of Wisconsin Jointly Trusted Pension Plan; trustee of PACE International Union's Pension Plan; member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Peninsula Private Industry Council; treasurer of the Upper Peninsula Safety Council; member of the Governor's Task Force on Education; member of Michigan's School to Work Committee; member of the Delta/Schoolcraft Education Advisory Development Board; member of the UPIU/Scott Paper Joint Advisory Committee; steward of the Representatives and Organizers Union; member of the Advisory Planning Committee of Northern Michigan University's Labor Education Division; planning commissioner for the city of Escanaba; member of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance Board; member of the USW/SCA Joint Advisory Committee; executive board member of the Michigan and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. Mr. LaCosse has also been a guest instructor on labor issues at Northern Michigan University, Bay de Noc Community College and several area high schools. In 2003, at the first convention of PACE International Union, Mr. LaCosse was elected vice president and regional director of Region 10, which was the largest region in PACE. In 2005, PACE International Union merged with the United Steelworkers of America to become the USW International Union, the largest industrial union in the nation. On March 1, 2006, he was installed as international vice president with responsibility for national paper bargaining in the newly merged union. Mr. LaCosse retired from the USW on March 1, 2008. Madam Speaker, Richard LaCosse has spent a career advocating for the rights of his colleagues. Dick's years of service have no doubt made an impact on countless workers across the country. I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in honoring and thanking Richard LaCosse as he received a well-deserved induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. [[Page 23391]] ____________________