[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF LOCAL 318 OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION 
                         OF OPERATING ENGINEERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring the 75th anniversary of Local 318 of the 
International Union of Operating Engineers, headquartered in Marion, 
IL.
  1932, our Nation was mired in the depths of the Great Depression. 
Prices were low. The average new car cost $610 and you could fill up 
the tank for 10 cents a gallon. However, few could afford the car or 
the gas as employment was over 23 percent nationally with over 13 
million Americans having lost their jobs since the beginning of the 
Depression in 1929. It was in this time of economic distress that Local 
318 was founded in Harrisburg, IL.
  Local 318 covers 14 counties in the southernmost area of Illinois and 
is comprised of 900 skilled operators. Their commitment to providing 
the highest quality of labor to their hundreds of signatory contractors 
extends to a strong training program, both at the apprentice level and 
upgrades for Journeymen as well.
  The members of Local 318 are also contributing members of their 
respective communities and, through their local, they support a number 
of area charities and provide a scholarship fund to support their 
dependents who attend college.
  With union membership struggling in many areas of the country, Local 
318 boasts a 98 percent union membership for their covered trades. This 
speaks well of the benefits that the members realize through their 
union membership and also the increased productivity for the 
contractors who use the skilled workers of Local 318.
  In 1996 Local 318 moved its headquarters to Marion, IL. They continue 
to provide quality representation for their members and, through their 
training and community involvement, they are a positive example of 
organized labor in southern Illinois.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
leadership and members of Local 318 of the International Union of 
Operating Engineers as they celebrate their 75th anniversary.

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