[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              DISTINGUISHED JOURNEYMEN SHEET METAL WORKERS

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 1995
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, over the course of my years as a private 
citizen and public official, I have witnessed a great, unfolding story. 
This story is one of pride and principle, enterprise and excellence. It 
is the story of American workers given the chance to contribute to 
society, with the labor movement's guiding hand.
  Today, I would like to call attention to 16 young men who completed 
the sheet metal workers' apprenticeship program. On June 12, 1995, 
Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union No. 20 in 
Gary, IN, initiated these men as journeymen sheet metal workers. The 
new members are: John Babe, John Bodish, Erik Burkhart, Shane Byers, 
Andy Cleland, Kevin Frazier, Sam Glover, Phil Grede, Christopher 
Jenness, Eugene L. Klimazewski, J. Patrick Knox, Duke Popa, Jerry 
Porter, Richard Sells, Christopher Shaffer, and Matthew Vanbuskirk.
  According to Mr. G. Russell Basset, who has almost 20 years of 
celebrated service as an elected official with Local No. 20, the 
apprentice program offers a broad overview of the sheet metal craft. 
Over a 5-year span, each apprentice must attend school once a week in 
Gary, IN. Moreover, the apprentice spends another 4 days a week working 
on sites and learning the various skills needed to make a successful 
and prosperous journeyman. These marketable skills include applied 
math, metal fabricating, welding, and architectural design as well as 
many others.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other colleagues to join me in 
congratulating these fine individuals as they began their distinguished 
careers as journeymen sheet metal workers. Their futures promise to be 
successful as they use their intangible and tangible experiences from 
the apprentice program in their careers as well as their personal 
lives. May their careers be long and fruitful.


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