UAW Mourns the Death of Monsignor George Higgins

DETROIT, May 2 -- UAW President Stephen P. Yokich issued the following statement today on the death of Monsignor George G. Higgins.

"Monsignor George Higgins was a distinguished priest, scholar, teacher and social activist. He was a leader in the cause of religious tolerance and an outspoken advocate of the rights of working men and women.

"Monsignor Higgins was an influential adviser to top leaders of the Catholic Church, and to leaders of labor, industry and government. But his head was never turned by access to the high and mighty. Instead, his heart remained true to the migrant workers, the janitors, the hospital orderlies, and the millions of working families on whose behalf he spoke so eloquently and so consistently.

"We in the UAW cherish our special relationship with Monsignor Higgins, who served as a member of our union's Public Review Board (PRB) since its inception in 1957, and as chairman from 1966 until his retirement last year.

"Any member of the UAW may appeal to the Public Review Board -- which is made up of scholars, attorneys, and religious leaders -- with a complaint about the actions or inactions of our union, and we are bound by its decisions. Monsignor Higgins once described the PRB as a 'unique experiment in democracy.'

"To the extent this 'experiment' has been successful, it has been in no small part because of Monsignor Higgins' leadership, his wisdom, and most of all because of his unquestioned integrity.

"Monsignor Higgins' enduring contribution to the UAW is in itself an impressive legacy. But his influence ranged far and wide, to many unions, institutions and social movements.

"Within the Catholic Church, Monsignor Higgins was a major voice in calling for the improvement of relations between Catholics and Jews, and he was honored last year by a joint committee of Vatican and Jewish groups as one of eight great living pioneers of Catholic-Jewish dialogue.

"Within the U.S. labor movement, Monsignor Higgins was an early and strong supporter of Cesar Chavez in his effort to organize migrant farm workers. But he was trusted and respected by farm growers as well, and his tireless efforts helped bring the two sides together at the bargaining table.

"In August of 1980, then-President Clinton awarded Monsignor Higgins our nation's highest civilian honor -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- in recognition of his work as 'a champion of workers' rights, civil rights and religious intolerance.'

"Monsignor Higgins was not hesitant to criticize our union or the labor movement if he thought we were wrong, and he was never afraid to stand with us when he believed we were right. We could use more friends like that, and he will be sorely missed.

"On behalf of the entire UAW, we offer our condolences to Monsignor Higgins' family."