The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING HENRY TAMARIN
______
HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Henry Tamarin, an extraordinary labor leader and organizer. He was a special mentor and friend to me. Henry passed away peacefully at his home in New York City on August 26, 2022, at the age of 77. He was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing.
Henry Tamarin was born in New York City, and became an organizer, union leader, and union president. He was best known for his activism and leadership in Chicago's labor movement. Tamarin, a former member of the Chicago Federation of Labor Executive Board, came to Chicago in 1999 and was elected president of UNITE HERE Local 1 in 2001. He served in this role until 2013 when he stepped aside and transitioned the local to the next generation of leaders. Before arriving in Chicago, Tamarin led UNITE HERE Local 217 in Connecticut, and UNITE HERE Local 100 in New York City.
The labor and social justice activism that he dedicated his entire life to was evident in his youth. On August 28, 1963, Tamarin and his father were witness to history as they watched Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his ``I Have a Dream'' speech at the March on Washington. Henry's son Nate said his father called it one of proudest moments of his life.
Tamarin attended Earlham College, and later the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his degree. Tamarin organized, marched, and sat-in for peace and civil rights. After college, Tamarin lived in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district with a member of the Grateful Dead. That bit of trivia followed Tamarin throughout his career and earned him a new level of respect and admiration from generation after generation of union staff.
Tamarin's activism and passion for working people (and his friend John Wilhelm) led him to get arrested at a demonstration in support of unionized workers at Yale University, which led to a lifetime of union work, service and activism at UNITE HERE. Subsequently, Tamarin became UNITE HERE's troubleshooter, with the union sending him to help struggling UNITE HERE locals in New England, New Jersey, New York, and Chicago.
When he arrived in Chicago, Tamarin faced his biggest challenge and found his greatest success when he transformed and revitalized UNITE HERE Local 1 by organizing a member-driven and worker-led 2002 contract fight with 7,000 hotel workers that raised the wages of housekeepers from $8.83 to $10.17.
Throughout his career, Tamarin mentored dozens of future labor leaders and activists, including Roushaunda Williams, vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board; Karen Kent, UNITE HERE Local 1's president and Tamarin's successor; and Jose Maldonado, president of UNITE HERE Local 100 in New York City. Henry was indeed a ``Street Fighting Man'' as David Moberg referred to him in his cover article published in the Chicago Tribune Magazine on February 16, 2003. Tamarin led his local unions and membership through several strikes, including the Congress Hotel strike in Chicago, and the Box Tree Restaurant strike in New York City--two of the longest strikes in labor history.
Henry's passion for the struggle for workers' rights was contagious, and his love and respect for union members authentic. He patiently taught union members the power of strikes, how to defend their contracts, and the importance of keeping free speech alive. Tamarin was always ready to take the struggle to the next level. He was bold and tough, and a smart, colorful, and tenacious negotiator.
When he stepped aside from union service in 2015, he stepped into a full life with family, friends and travel. He spent time with his grandchildren, and continued to organize the annual summer trip to Cape Cod with his family. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, fly fishing, and dining out in his hometown. Henry was passionate about travel overseas and only this summer had traveled to the south of France.
Henry leaves behind son Nate and his wife Elizabeth; son Nick and his wife Rhea; grandchildren Nicholas, Henry, and Elena; a sister, Jean Tamarin and thousands of UNITE HERE members, staff, and leaders, whose lives were made better because of his life's work.
Henry Tamarin will live forever in the hearts of his family, friends, and in the hearts of UNITE HERE Local 1 & UNITE HERE Local 100, in UNITE HERE, and in the labor movement.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 164(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 164(2)
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