Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-02-04

HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA

EconomyEnvironmentLaborVoting RightsInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-02-04, Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered the environment, labor policy.

Full Text

HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E105] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary career of Bob Canova as he prepares for retirement after a long and storied career at General Dynamics Electric Boat. In January 1981, at the age of just twenty years old, Robert ``Bob'' Canova began a career at General Dynamics Electric Boat that would ultimately span forty-five years of technical excellence and unwavering service. Beginning in an era of traditional drafting--using lead pencils, French curves, and Mylar sheets--Bob evolved alongside the industry, mastering mainframe programming and modern computer-aided design. His work on the piping systems and subsafe mapping for the Trident, Seawolf, Virginia, and Columbia Class submarines has been vital to the United States Navy and the protection of our Nation for nearly half a century. Bob's legacy is equally defined by his fierce advocacy for his colleagues in the MDA-UAW Local 571. At the age of twenty-three, he stood as a lone voice in a contested NLRB case during a protracted 1983 to 1984 strike. Representing himself against formidable legal opposition, he secured a landmark ruling that protected the voting rights and seniority of 1,800 strikers, a victory that remains a milestone in labor history. Throughout his tenure, Bob served in nearly every leadership capacity at Local 571, including Treasurer and President. His dedication to his craft and his members led him to earn a degree in Labor Studies from the University of Connecticut while working full-time, ensuring he could negotiate with the highest level of tactical and legal expertise. His final term as 2nd Vice President concluded with the historic May 2025 contract, which secured transformative wage increases and retirement credits for the next generation of shipbuilders. Bob also was deeply involved in local and national politics, which I personally witnessed and benefited from. He was instrumental in lining up support for candidates like myself, from both the UAW and the Town of Stonington. He faithfully joined me at the factory gates early in the morning during election season to greet fellow workers and listen to their concerns. As Bob retired on January 30, 2026, we honor a man of profound integrity who spent forty-five years mentoring others, strengthening the union, and ensuring the excellence of the American submarine fleet. This legacy of dedication began at Electric Boat, where he not only built a career but also his life in meeting his wife, Carol. Now married for 31 years, they share a beautiful family with their daughter, Nicole, and son-in-law, Nicholas. We celebrate his transition to a new chapter of service as a volunteer with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and his alma mater, Norwich Free Academy. ____________________

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HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E105] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF BOB CANOVA ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary career of Bob Canova as he prepares for retirement after a long and storied career at General Dynamics Electric Boat. In January 1981, at the age of just twenty years old, Robert ``Bob'' Canova began a career at General Dynamics Electric Boat that would ultimately span forty-five years of technical excellence and unwavering service. Beginning in an era of traditional drafting--using lead pencils, French curves, and Mylar sheets--Bob evolved alongside the industry, mastering mainframe programming and modern computer-aided design. His work on the piping systems and subsafe mapping for the Trident, Seawolf, Virginia, and Columbia Class submarines has been vital to the United States Navy and the protection of our Nation for nearly half a century. Bob's legacy is equally defined by his fierce advocacy for his colleagues in the MDA-UAW Local 571. At the age of twenty-three, he stood as a lone voice in a contested NLRB case during a protracted 1983 to 1984 strike. Representing himself against formidable legal opposition, he secured a landmark ruling that protected the voting rights and seniority of 1,800 strikers, a victory that remains a milestone in labor history. Throughout his tenure, Bob served in nearly every leadership capacity at Local 571, including Treasurer and President. His dedication to his craft and his members led him to earn a degree in Labor Studies from the University of Connecticut while working full-time, ensuring he could negotiate with the highest level of tactical and legal expertise. His final term as 2nd Vice President concluded with the historic May 2025 contract, which secured transformative wage increases and retirement credits for the next generation of shipbuilders. Bob also was deeply involved in local and national politics, which I personally witnessed and benefited from. He was instrumental in lining up support for candidates like myself, from both the UAW and the Town of Stonington. He faithfully joined me at the factory gates early in the morning during election season to greet fellow workers and listen to their concerns. As Bob retired on January 30, 2026, we honor a man of profound integrity who spent forty-five years mentoring others, strengthening the union, and ensuring the excellence of the American submarine fleet. This legacy of dedication began at Electric Boat, where he not only built a career but also his life in meeting his wife, Carol. Now married for 31 years, they share a beautiful family with their daughter, Nicole, and son-in-law, Nicholas. We celebrate his transition to a new chapter of service as a volunteer with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and his alma mater, Norwich Free Academy. ____________________