[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  NICO FERRARO: 2000 LABOR LEADER OF THE YEAR OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY 
           BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL, ALF-CIO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nico Ferraro, 
business manager of the Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 230, as he is 
honored by the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades 
Council, AFL-CIO at the Eighteenth Annual John S. Lyons Memorial 
Banquet.
  Nico Ferraro is being honored as the 2000 Labor Leader of the Year 
because he is an active labor leader who has gained a reputation for 
getting things done. His activism caught the attention of Local 230, 
and he was elected to the executive board in 1989. In 1992, he was 
elected pipefitter business representative and served in that capacity 
until his appointment as business manager in 1997.
  As business manager of Local 230, he represents the 1600 member local 
union in many ways. He is a trustee to the pension and health and 
welfare funds, the secretary to the Joint Apprenticeship Committee, 
delegate to the District Council, and executive board member to the 
Building Trades and the Central Labor Council. He serves on a statewide 
committee for the International Union and is also a hearing officer for 
the International Union. He is a management trustee for the OPEIU 
pension.
  Nico is dedicated to improving the wages, pension, and working 
conditions of his membership and demonstrating to all of San Diego the 
benefits of union membership. He has spoken before the Industrial 
Welfare Commission, the California Apprenticeship Council, to church 
groups and to community college students on the benefits of being a 
union member.
  He is involved in all aspects of the labor movement. A number of his 
pro-union letters to the editor have been published in San Diego 
newspapers. He co-chairs the Labor Council Street Heat Committee. He 
raises money for Local 230's scholarship fund. Recently, he was 
appointed to the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Board where he will 
be asked to determine the wages, work hours, and working conditions for 
the mining, drilling, and construction industries.
  Nico's dad, uncles, brothers and neighbors in New York City were 
union members. He learned at an early age the value of union 
membership. He served a five-year steamfitter apprenticeship with one 
of the original United Autoworkers locals, Local 638. From the minute 
he was initiated into the union, he knew it was for him! A highlight 
was his work on the 110 story World Trade Center twin towers building 
in New York.
  Nico has been married for the past fourteen years to his wife Lynn, 
who is a member of the California Teachers Association.
  As a friend and supporter of the working man and woman, I want to 
sincerely congratulate Nico Ferraro on receiving this prestigious award 
for his long hours and intensive work in the cause of justice. It is an 
honor to know him and to support his work!

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