HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Julius Bernard Uehlein died on
December 25, 2005, of cardiopulmonary failure brought on by pneumonia. He was
88 years old. He had lived with Alzheimer's disease for the past several
years. He is survived by his children, Mary, Joseph, John, William, Robert,
and his children by a previous marriage, Timothy, Barbara, and Kenneth. He is
also survived by twenty grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and two
great-great grandchildren as well as a loving extended family.
His funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 10:00 AM
at Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick, 212 State St., Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Immediately following the Mass there will be a reception at the Pennsylvania
AFL-CIO State Headquarters, 231 State St., Harrisburg, PA 17101. In lieu of
flowers please make a contribution to the Labor Heritage Foundation, 888 16th
St. N.W., Suite 680, Washington, DC 20006. Julius was a lover and singer of
labor music and the LHF is a labor arts foundation.
Julius Uehlein was born in Lorain, Ohio on July 25, 1917. At the age of
17, he went to work in the mammoth steel mills of Lorain County. Julius
immediately went about the task of forming the Steel Workers Organizing
Committee (SWOC) in the mills, and the Congress of Industrial Organization
(CIO) in Lorain County. This important work, building a new labor movement
for industrial workers, spanned the next 55 years of his life. He was one of
the founding members of the United Steelworkers of America, and served his
union for decades in many different capacities, from staff representative
handling grievances on the shop floor and contract negotiations, to a
political action specialist. Julius traveled with Harry Truman's campaign
train as the CIO representative. He later served as the Legislative Director
for the Steelworkers Union in Pennsylvania for many years.
Julius retired from the United Steelworkers of America and ran
successfully for President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. After serving two
four-year terms as President, Julius retired at age 72.
"Generations of workers can thank Julius Uehlein for his leadership and
commitment to improving the quality of life of all working families in
Pennsylvania. His leadership was instrumental in achieving several major
victories for Pennsylvania's working families, including: restoring
Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Fund which was on the brink of
bankruptcy; Chemical Right to Know for workers and communities; raising
Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage; Agency Shop protections for public sector workers
and enactment of Pennsylvania's Health Care Cost Containment Act, improving
quality and access to affordable health care for all. Julius Uehlein was a
real hero for all working families of Pennsylvania. His leadership and
accomplishments continue to make Pennsylvania a better place to live and
work," Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George said.
Julius was also active in state and national Democratic politics, served
on the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and was a delegate at many
Democratic national conventions.
He lived in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania from 1967 to 2002, when he moved to
Washington, DC to be near family. A devout Catholic, Julius Uehlein was a
longtime member of Saint Theresa's Parish in New Cumberland.
Julius Uehlein was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He and Mary
Lou, his wife of fifty-five years, were a wonderful match. Her death in
October 2005 affected Julius more than anyone could know. It is not
surprising that he died within 3 months of her passing. Those who knew him
well will always remember him for his diplomacy, sharp mind, quick wit and
great sense of humor.
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SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
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CONTACT:
William George, President, Pennsylvania
AFL-CIO, +1-717-231-2840 (office), or +1-717-215-4313 (cell); or
Mary Uehlein McGill, +1-301-270-1956 (home), or +1-202-725-6782
(cell), or Joe Uehlein, +1-301-270-5595
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