Recognizing the Career and Retirement of Edward Geppert-Chief of Staff of the Illinois Federation of Teachers- Hon. Jerry F. Costello

RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF EDWARD GEPPERT-CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS-HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO (Extensions of Remarks - April 20, 2004)

HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the career and retirement of Edward Geppert, the Chief of Staff of the Illinois Federation of Teachers since 1994.

Prior to that, Ed served the IFT as Director of Organization (1983-1994), Field Service Director (1997-1983) and Executive Board Member (1975-1977).

Ed began his career in education as a social science teacher at Cahokia High School (1969-77) teaching government, sociology and history. He has been an IFT member since 1969 and is the forma president of the Cahokia Federation of Teachers, Local 1272. In 1977, he became a field service director for the IFT, organizing locals in Southern Illinois. He has also served as a delegate on the East St. Louis (now Southwestern Illinois) Central Labor Council and the Southwest Area Council, IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO. Ed has also been a member of the Glassblowers and Bottlers Union and the United Rubber Workers.

His expertise in education and labor has been recognized by such groups as the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Learning Partnership and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He is also an active member of the Labor Committee of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois.
Ed and his wife Marti, a teacher in Cahokia, have three sons, Brad, Steve and Dan and reside in Belleville, Illinois. Their special joy is daughter-in-law Laurie and grandson Jack. Ed also serves his community through his involvement with the Illinois Learning Partnership.

I have known Ed for many years through his involvement with my wife Georgia, who is also an educator. I consider Ed my friend and have the utmost respect for him and the work he has done for education in our area and our state. Many times I have sought Ed's advice on issues related to the educational system in our country.

The IFT is an organization that is 85,000 strong with 23 offices around the state to service members and provide program support to each member. Ed has the courage of his convictions, and the IFT we know today is due in no small part to Ed's tremendous ability to build a team, keep everybody involved and continue working for our most democratic American institution, public education.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions of Ed Geppert and wish him and his family the very best in the future.