[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 44 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            HONORING THE HAMMOND CARPENTER'S UNION LOCAL 599

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 10, 2000

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate 
some of the most dedicated and skilled workers in Northwest Indiana. On 
April 8, 2000, in a salute to their workers' durability and longevity, 
the Hammond Carpenter's Union Local 599 recognized their members for 25 
years or more of dedicated service. They were recognized during a pin 
ceremony banquet to be held on Saturday at the Carpenter's Union Hall 
in Hammond, Indiana. These individuals, in addition to the other Local 
599 members who have served Northwest Indiana so diligently for such a 
long period of time, are a testament to the prototypical American 
worker: loyal, dedicated, and hardworking.
  The Carpenter's Local 599, which received its charter in 1899, 
honored members for their years of devoted service. The members honored 
for 55 years of service include: John Giba, Sylvester Reising and 
Tensey Roberts. The members honored for 50 years of service include: 
Robert J. Busch, Robert Herhold, Earnest Latta, Kenneth Ogden and 
Oliver J. Vogeler. The members honored for 45 years of service include: 
Louis B. Biedron, Lafayette M. Bundren, William J. Burgess, Guy Casey, 
William C. Dowdy, Elmer F. Lucas, Raymond Lukowski and John Sills. The 
members honored for 40 years of service include: John M. Davich, Robert 
Dimichelle, C. J. Krupinski, Ethard McIlroy, Richard Meyers, John E. 
Shoup, William Simmons, Joseph M. Staes and Robert Washington. The 
members honored for 35 years of service include: John R. Billings, 
Kenneth E. Clayton, James McCready, Harold Neil, Elmer C. Phelps, Jr., 
Paul V. Reppa, Dale R. Robert, Harold Sills and Richard C. Thiel. The 
members honored for 30 years of service include: Robert E. Chorba, Glen 
E. Flaherty, Jr., Uwe H. Grantz, James Liming, Sr. and Paul W. 
Steinhauer. The members honored for 25 years of service include: Denny 
L. Crouse, Thomas A. Dorsey, John P. Hindahl, Donald King, Joseph 
Lippie and Richard A. Polus.
  As Orville Dewey said, ``Labor is man's greatest function. He is 
nothing, he can be nothing, he can achieve nothing, he can fulfill 
nothing, without working.'' The men and women of Local 599, in addition 
to all of the local unions in Northwest Indiana, form the backbone of 
our economy and community. Without their blood, sweat, and tears, 
Indiana's First Congressional District would not be a place of which to 
be proud, it would not be the place I love, nor would it be my home.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in congratulating these dedicated, honorable, and outstanding members 
of the Hammond Carpenter's Union Local 599, in addition to all the 
hardworking union men and women in America. The men and women of Local 
599 are a fine representation of America's union men and women; I am 
proud to represent such dedicated men and women in Congress. Their hard 
labor and dauntless courage are the achievement and fulfillment of the 
American dream.

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