[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2427-E2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF THOMAS J. MANNING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas J. Manning 
and his dedicated years of service to the State of New Jersey and its 
workers. Mr. Manning recently retired after a long career as an 
advocate for New Jersey's workers. Through his tenacity and hard work 
he became a positive force in the lives of so many.
  In 1969, Mr. Manning graduated from Mater Dei High School, located in 
New Monmouth, New Jersey. He soon became involved in the steamfitting 
trade, serving a five year apprenticeship before achieving the position 
of Mechanical Superintendent. Mr. Manning is a member of Local Union 
No. 475 and has served his union in a number of distinguished 
capacities. In 1994, he was elected to the position of Business Agent 
and in 2000 he was selected to serve as the union's Business Manager. 
He was also a trustee and Co-Chairman of the Steamfitters Local 475 
Employee Benefit Trust Fund.
  Mr. Manning has also served in several state-wide union positions, 
during which time he represented and fought for thousands of his fellow 
workers. He served as President of the New Jersey State Association of 
Pipe Trades. In this capacity, he worked to represent 11,000 plumbers, 
pipefitters, sprinklerfitters, and HVAC service providers. Mr. Manning 
has also served as Vice President of the New Jersey State Building and 
Construction Trades, President of the Mechanical Allied Crafts, and as 
an Executive Board Member of the New Jersey AFL-CIO.
  Mr. Manning is a founding member of my labor advisory committee and 
has become a trusted advisor to me on not only labor issues but on the 
environment, the economy and workers' health care.
  Importantly, Mr. Manning sought to continue his education in the 
fields of labor and political studies. He completed courses in both 
Labor Law and Labor History at Cornell University's School of 
Industrial and Labor Relations. He also attended Rutgers University's 
Labor Education Center where he studied political science.
  Mr. Manning has been a member of numerous government and local 
advisory groups. In 2005, he was appointed by Governor Dick Codey to 
serve as a member of the School Construction Corporation Board of 
Directors. He also served as a member of New Jersey Governor Jon 
Corzine's Economic Development Transition Team and was later appointed 
to a position with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
  Madam Speaker, Local 475, the labor movement and the people of New 
Jersey are losing a true champion with the retirement of Tom Manning. I 
sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating his 
impressive career. His long record of advocacy on behalf of New 
Jersey's workers is truly remarkable.

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