[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MICHAEL FORDE AND THE NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL OF 
                               CARPENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Michael 
Forde, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the New York City District 
Council of Carpenters and the over 300 men and women who have dedicated 
everyday, 24 hours a day, to the clean up effort at the World Trade 
Center Site.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael Forde is a leader in the New York City labor 
community as the Secretary-Treasurer of the largest Carpenters Union in 
the Country representing over 25,000 members.
  On September 11, the District Council under the leadership of Michael 
Forde, wasted no time in being some of the first men and women outside 
of rescue workers and public safety officers to be on the scene of 
Ground Zero. During the first days after the destruction of the Trade 
Center, union carpenters worked around the clock helping to clear 
debris, insuring the structural safety of the area for rescue workers 
and engaging in the search themselves for survivors of the attack.
  As a union based in Lower Manhattan, the District Council of 
Carpenters has a long and strong history of working to make New York 
City the financial capital that it is today.
  The quick, untiring and heroic response of the men and women of the 
District Council of Carpenters would not have been as extensive or 
effective if it was not for the leadership of Michael Forde.
  Mr. Speaker, I have known Michael Forde for many years. He was born 
in the Bronx, moved to Woodside, Queens, in my congressional district 
where he graduated from Christi High School in Astoria. He received his 
B.A. in Business Administration from Hunter College.
  Mike started in the carpentry field as an apprentice during the 
construction of the World Trade Center in the early 1970s. Through hard 
work, dedication to his craft, exceptional leadership skills and a 
strong commitment to his fellow union brothers and sisters, he rose 
through the ranks to become a foreman, general foreman, shop steward, 
president and business manager of Local 608 and ultimately to his 
present position.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael Forde is just one among many. I rise today not 
only to pay tribute to him and to recognize his work to help rebuild 
Lower Manhattan and Ground Zero, but I rise to recognize all the men 
and women of the New York City District Council of Carpenters. These 
men and women have showed exceptional dedication, fulfilling the task 
at hand and they will play a critical role in the tasks of the future 
rebuilding Lower Manhattan and Ground Zero.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to insure that we as a Congress recognize 
the work the New York District Council of Carpenters did and the work 
they continue to do to rebuild Lower Manhattan.

                          ____________________