[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING 21 YEARS OF HEAT'S ON

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor ``Heat's 
On,'' a partnership between Union Pipefitters and the Minnesota 
Mechanical Contractors Association that has been helping those in need 
for 21 years.
  Winters are cold in Minnesota, and home heating is a basic necessity. 
Over the past two decades, St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455, Minneapolis 
Pipefitters Local 539 and local contractors come together each fall to 
volunteer their skills and time to inspect and fix furnaces, flues and 
smoke alarms for low-income senior citizens and disabled homeowners. 
Thankfully, most of these visits turn up no serious problems. However, 
when inspections do not go smoothly, these professionals are able to 
provide the help needed.
  Volunteers sometimes uncover major problems. On average, 10 homes out 
of the 400 homes inspected each year have furnaces that must be 
replaced, and many of these homeowners cannot afford the expense. This 
year, pipefitters and contractors have come together yet again to 
establish a fund to help these homeowners with the cost of furnace 
replacement.
  Thanks to the outstanding Heat's On partnership, thousands of senior 
citizens and disabled Minnesotans have been able to remain safe in 
their homes. Just as important, they have a sense of relief knowing 
that their homes will be warm and comfortable as cold weather 
approaches.
  I am proud to live in a community that cares--where union workers 
come together with small businesses for the good of our neighbors. This 
is a partnership that makes sense, which is why it has served as a 
model for other communities.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending all of the volunteers from 
St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455, Minneapolis Pipefitters Local 539 and 
the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association for 21 years of Heat's 
On.

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