[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       TRIBUTE TO STAGE EMPLOYEES LOCAL NO 21, 100TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
members of Local 21 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage 
Employees and Motion Picture Machine Operators, which will proudly 
celebrate its 100th anniversary on July 1 of this year, and I am 
pleased to share with you a bit of their remarkable history in the 
labor movement.
  Since their inception in 1894, the stagehands have demonstrated an 
outstanding commitment to the development of the American theater. From 
traveling theaters to the birth of the movie projector just after the 
turn of the century, stagehands dedicated themselves to becoming 
skilled laborers. Although they suffered from several setbacks when the 
film industry moved from its birthplace of Edison, NJ, to California, 
local 21 managed to rebound by involving itself in the new prosperity 
of burlesque and vaudeville in the 20th century.
  In later years, as theaters like the Paper Mill Playhouse and the 
Newark Symphony Hall regained their earlier popularity with revivals of 
old productions, the stagehands of local 21 reestablished themselves in 
New Jersey theatrical productions.
  With their attention to detail, their knowledge of the history of 
live entertainment, and most importantly, their cooperation with one 
another, the members of local 21 have survived as one of the oldest 
labor organizations in New Jersey. I am proud to acknowledge and praise 
their work. They represent the proudest traditions of organized labor: 
Hard work, longevity, and ultimately, success. I congratulate every 
member, and wish them another 100 years of prosperity.

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