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2016 SESSION

16101066D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 36
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 4, 2016
Celebrating the life of Alton H. Glass, Sr.
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Patrons-- Miller, Deeds, Locke, Norment and Petersen; Delegates: Mason and Price
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WHEREAS, Alton H. Glass, Sr., of Newport News, the former president of United Steelworkers Local 8888 who advocated tirelessly on behalf of thousands of Newport News Shipbuilding employees and for the entire United Steelworkers membership, and who was a devoted husband and father and a small business owner, died on October 30, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Alton Glass began working for Newport News Shipbuilding, which is a division of Huntington Ingalls, Inc., as a welder; he became active in union affairs and was involved in bargaining talks, special projects, and manning picket lines; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Alton Glass was elected president of United Steelworkers Local 8888, which is the largest union at Newport News Shipyard and represents thousands of employees; he was at the helm of the organization until 2009; and

WHEREAS, as president, Alton Glass led the union through two rounds of contract negotiations and garnered substantial gains for employees, including pay increases, pay upgrades, pension improvements, and new safety measures; additionally, he was responsible for a major renovation of Local 8888’s union hall; and

WHEREAS, Alton Glass made many valuable contributions to the United Steelworkers International organization; he was an expert in public policy analysis and developed strong and effective lobbying skills; and

WHEREAS, Alton Glass, who was respected by union members and management alike, fostered collaboration by forging relationships with the management of Newport News Shipyard, which is one of the Commonwealth’s largest employers; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from Newport News Shipyard in 2012, Alton Glass stayed active in his community; he was a small-business owner, operating Manicure Lawn Care; and

WHEREAS, Alton Glass will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by Delores, his wife of 35 years, who was his high school sweetheart; their children, Alton, Jr., and Misha, and their families; and many family members, friends, and fellow employees at Newport News Shipbuilding; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Alton H. Glass, Sr., of Newport News, a tireless advocate for his fellow steel workers at Newport News Shipbuilding, who served as president of United Steelworkers Local 8888 from 2003 to 2009, and who was a devoted husband and father and a small business proprietor; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Alton H. Glass, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.