WASHINGTON (July 14) -- Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) credited the United Transportation Union (UTU) with being "one of the few unions who have helped us (Democrats) so much" in elections.
"You can be assured that when we win the House back," Gephardt said, "we will have the UTU in our head everyday."
Gephardt, the House Minority Leader, was the second big hitter from the Democratic Party to address the UTU’s Washington Regional Meeting. He spoke to a luncheon crowd of 1,300 UTU members on Tuesday. Vice President Al Gore spoke on Monday evening. Today, Minority Whip David Bonior (D-Mich) is scheduled to speak.
Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., introduced Gephardt. Like Gore, Gephardt wished UTU International President Charles L. Little a "quick recovery" from recent surgery.
Boyd said: "Brothers and Sisters, how did you like having Al Gore here last night? How did you feel when he said he has had a ‘warm, long-standing 25-year relationship with the UTU? How did you feel when some of you shook hands with the next President of the United States?
"Today, we have the same chance to show the UTU’s support for an important Democratic member of Congress who has been our friend for 25 years, too. I’m sure some of you saw the headline on the front page of the Washington Post yesterday. It talked about Minority Leader Richard Gephardt’s tireless quest to put Democrats atop the House of Representatives. The story talked about Richard Gephardt’s intense mission to regain Democratic control of the House and take over as Speaker. It talked about how his bold strategy is infuriating Republicans...which, as far as I’m concerned, and I know you are concerned, is just fine."
Boyd continued: "The 2000 elections are about electing Al Gore as President and taking back control of the House and Senate. The 2000 elections are about making sure that labor’s friends -- and this Union’s friends -- are elected. The 2000 elections are about taking away the Republicans slim 6-seat majority in the House. Brothers and Sisters, it is my distinct honor to introduce to you the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Richard A. Gephardt."
Gephardt’s speech was interrupted 11 times with standing ovations as he laid out his plans to take back the House from the Republicans and protect the rights of unions and working families. He thanked the UTU for its "electoral help and human help" and for "coordinating your contributions to candidates."
He said UTU National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer has "always done this with great skill. We work as close together as any union we work with in the entire country."
"We are going to win the House back," he said. "We have to win the House back. It’s absolutely essential for this country’s future. We need six seats, and with your help we will win."
Gephardt said, "I’ll put it real simply: Thank you, thank you. We won’t forget what you’ve done. We know where we came from. We know who helps us. We know why we are here, and we know what we stand for and what we believe in. And we will not forget the help you have given us, and are giving us, and will give us over the next year and a half."
Gephardt said it will take a "team effort" to win back the House, and "we are fighting for the same things."
He said the Republican party is "splintering, breaking apart, flaking off."
On the rail and transportation issues and union rights, Gephardt said, "When we get to the issues of Amtrak and Railroad Retirement and railroad safety, and whether or not you’re going to be paid a living wage and have the right to collectively bargain, whether or not we’re going to put up with scab workers in this country or permanent replacements, we’re going to remember who supported us and where our help came from. We are going to be there for you."
UTU Home Page | 1999 News
Copyright © 1999 United Transportation Union
Last modified: May 25, 2000