[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES JIM GRATTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Jim Gratton, 
who has served the labor movement in a variety of capacities for 44 
years. Mr. Gratton has led local union members as business manager of 
Local Union 400 and as president of Monmouth/Ocean Building Trades.
  In 1974, Mr. Gratton negotiated a maintenance agreement for the 
building trades at Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Prior to 
this agreement there was no union involvement in any maintenance or 
shut down work. Mr. Gratton also went to work negotiating the 
development of a second nuclear plant at the Oyster Creek site, and the 
project's labor agreement went on to set the standard for such 
agreements across the country.
  Under Mr. Gratton's leadership Local 400 grew in the 1970s and 1980s. 
He worked to establish a residential program that enabled the local 
unions to have greater control of its jurisdiction. His administration 
promoted both an annuity fund to secure better retirement packages and 
a Trades Assistance Program to aid union members suffering from drug 
and alcohol abuse.
  Recognizing the need for qualified linemen, Mr. Gratton convinced 
Northeast Apprentice Training program to use Local 400's property as 
the site for their school. Line apprentices still learn their basic 
skills at this facility. He also promoted the Monmouth and Ocean 
Development Council and received their ``Man of the Year Award'' in 
1992. He is the 1998 recipient of the Alliance for Action's Silver Gull 
Award.
  In 1998 Jim retired from his IBEW positions and from the presidency 
of the Monmouth and Ocean Building Trades. During his three decades of 
leadership his union organizations grew in both size and stature. He 
serves as a model for labor leaders in our state. Currently Jim remains 
active in rebuilding and revitalizing Asbury Park, the Charter city of 
his Local 400.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Gratton's 
community service. I extend to him my gratitude, and the best of luck 
in any future endeavors.

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