Washington, D.C. - Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my long time friend, Yoggi Riley, in recognition of her February 3, 2006 retirement from the U.S. Postal Service.  Ms. Riley had a long and distinguished career with the Postal Service – almost 38 years.  She proved herself a leader through her tireless work with the Postal Workers Union.   Throughout her career she helped improve the lives of countless other postal workers through her union service.  

In September 1967, Yoggi began working at the Post Office Department as a special delivery messenger.  After witnessing the hardships experienced by the postal workers on the picket lines during the l970 New York postal workers strike, which spread throughout the country, she joined the San Fernando Valley Area Local Branch of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU).  This decision not only changed her life, but because of her tenacity as a union leader, it ultimately impacted the lives of many others.   While her desire to help fight for and protect the rights of her fellow employees was kindled by that strike, it has continued to burn brightly throughout her career.    

 

Yoggi’s exceptional leadership as a union representative became apparent during the 1970s.  In l979, she was elected President of the local union and ultimately served two terms.  During her tenure, the quality of service and the reputation of the local union increased markedly.   Although she turned over the reins of leadership to spend more time with her family, whenever the union needed her she rose to the occasion. When organized labor fell on hard times and employees were required to work longer hours for less pay, the local union sought out Yoggi’s help.  She returned as Office Manager,  and served as Secretary and then as Treasurer. 

Her leadership was tested in the mid-nineties when postal management attempted to change the definition of a special delivery messenger and in the process deprive workers of their right to be represented by the union of their choice.   During this crisis, she sprang into action, helped confront management, and enlisted the support of the national union.  She then entered into a test case to resolve the issue through arbitration.  Acting in concert with the national union, an agreement was reached with management that all messengers would remain, as stated in the law, in their union of choice.  This was a great victory for postal workers. 

 

Yoggi settled into a job as Mailing Requirement Clerk advising postal customers about the best way make and prepare their mailings.  In 2001, the Postal Service recognized Yoggi with its Diversity Award, an honor justly deserved.  Although she has now retired from the UPS, Yoggi has not retired from her quest to help postal workers.   In recognition of her passion and ability to help postal workers, the APWU has asked Yoggi to conduct seminars on retirement and to help other workers appropriately prepare for that transition.   Not surprisingly, she has taken on this challenge with zeal and will, no doubt, continue to make a tremendous impact. 

 

Yoggi is a very special woman.  In addition to all she has done on behalf of postal workers, she has also devoted herself to raising a family.  She is married to Lester Riley and they have two children and six grandchildren.   The time and energy she gave to coaching children’s baseball and t-ball was so well known that the community renamed the playing field across from her home after her.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Yoggi Riley, congratulating her on her retirement, and wishing her success in all her future endeavors.