[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF WILLIAM F. ZENGA: A TRUE TRAILBLAZER FOR THE DREDGING 
                         INDUSTRY IN NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
individual whose distinguished service to his community and the labor 
movement in New Jersey will long be remembered. Mr. William Zenga's 
efforts will be commemorated on September 28, 1996, when the 
headquarters of the International Union Operating Engineers is renamed 
in his honor.
  The dedication ceremony of the William F. Zenga Building will be the 
culmination of a long and notable career. Mr. Zenga's journey to this 
monumental occasion began upon his graduation from Dickerson High 
School, Jersey City in 1939 when he became a dredgeman. One year later, 
he attained the position of operating engineer which he has held 
continuously, interrupted only by a period of service as a Navy SeeBee 
during World War II where he earned the rank of chief petty officer.
  Mr. Zenga's career in the dredging industry has lasted 56 years. 
During that time, he has taken up the cause of his fellow dredgemen 
through his activities with the International Union of Operating 
Engineers, local 25. Since the inception of local 25, Mr. Zenga has 
held a number of positions starting as a business agent and executive 
board member, and progressively moving upward in the labor 
organization. He has held positions as vice president of the Maritime 
Port Council of the Delaware Valley and Vicinity, vice president of the 
Maritime Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, and trustee of the Maritime 
Port Council of Greater New York.
  Commitment to family and community are paramount to Mr. Zenga. He and 
his wife, Caroline, make their home in Woodbridge, and are the proud 
parents of three sons: James, an attorney, William, Jr., an oral 
surgeon, and Jack, a certified public accountant. Mr. Zenga's interest 
in having our waterway be free for passage by our Nation's shipping 
fleet has led to involvement in a number of associations that promote 
the dredging and maritime industry. He currently serves as a board 
member of the State of New Jersey Maritime Advisory Council, the New 
York State Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee, and a member of 
the New Jersey Alliance for Action.
  It is an honor to recognize the important work of this dedicated 
individuals. His contributions to the dredging industry are of 
tremendous importance to many of the residents of my district who 
depend on an unobstructed coastline to make a living. I am certain my 
colleagues will rise with me and pay tribute to this trailblazer in the 
dredging industry.

                          ____________________