[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF BILLY POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2012

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of Mr. 
Billy Powell. Billy has been a member of the International Brotherhood 
of Electrical Workers 684 for sixteen years. IBEW 684 represents 
electrical workers in Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, and Tuolumne 
counties. It organizes electrical workers, works to secure just 
compensation and working conditions, provides equitable settlements of 
grievances, and strives to promote cordial relations between members 
and employers. Billy is currently the local's business manager and has 
served in that capacity for the past five years. He also serves as the 
Secretary-Treasurer of the Stanislaus and Merced Building Trades 
Council.
   In addition to his career and leadership in the electrical workers' 
field, he also supports the electrical workers apprenticeship program 
by serving as an instructor. Students are educated and trained at the 
Central Valley Joint Apprenticeship Training Center which is a jointly 
sponsored organization of the International Brotherhood of Electrical 
Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association of Northern 
California. This five-year comprehensive program delivers a course 
education, hands-on lab experience, and on-the-job training to prepare 
graduates to perform at a high level in the electrical industry. The 
school has taken top honors in the Western States Electrical Contest in 
2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011, a testament no doubt to the hard work of its 
students and the effective teaching of its instructors.
   Billy is also a veteran of our armed forces having served with the 
United States Navy during the Gulf War. However, his heroism and 
dedication to our country extends far beyond his years of active duty. 
He is also committed to providing for our veterans here at home as 
well. He has employed twenty-five homeless or out of work veterans on 
projects in the Central Valley and is dedicated to placing even more at 
future work sites. In addition, he works with Helmets to Hardhats, a 
national program that trains veterans to transition into skilled, 
promising construction trade jobs. His efforts to aid our veterans are 
truly inspiring and I have no doubt that his commitment will assist 
many more deserving men and women in the future.
   It is a great privilege to honor Mr. Billy Powell for his long 
career and leadership with the IBEW 684, his commitment to the 
education and training of a new generation of skilled laborers, and his 
devotion to our district, our country, and our veterans. His 
benevolence and leadership have truly set a positive example for all to 
admire and follow. It is an honor to know him, to work with him, and to 
call him my friend.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to recognize this fine 
individual for his work and his efforts here today.

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