[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS

 Mr. DONNELLY. Madam President, I wish to congratulate the 
hard-working members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical 
Workers--IBEW--Local 153 as they celebrate 100 years of working 
together to improve living standards by building safe communities 
throughout Michiana.
  IBEW Local 153 was started by just 18 members in 1914 in South Bend, 
IN. Its charter members were Fred Champaigne, Louis Brehmer, Omer C. 
Naftzger, Roy Watt, Calvin Beatty, William Weber, C. Sinnoth, Rob 
Elliott, R.J. Suabedissen, W.A. Henry, Walter A. Stickley, Lester E. 
Beatty, E.A. Nimtz, R.M. Dice, Leo A. Mathis, Frank Hamer, Oliver 
Doehmer and B.J. Doehmer. These men represent the determination and 
leadership that have shaped our commitment to fair labor standards and 
strong communities across the country. On April 21, 1914, the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers granted them their 
charter.
  Today, IBEW Local 153 covers St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and 
Kosciusko counties in north central Indiana and Berrien and Cass 
counties in Michigan. It counts over 900 men and women as its members. 
Over the years, it has worked vigilantly to promote the interests and 
values of working men and women by advocating for the best education 
and training to achieve the highest quality standards, safer working 
conditions, fair compensation, individual security and strong 
intellectual, moral, and social conditions. While these efforts have 
been critical to the success of its members, every American has 
benefitted from the work of organized labor and locals like IBEW Local 
153, to promote standard working hours, a living wage, worker safety, 
as well as strong families and stronger communities.
  Congratulations to the officers of IBEW Local 153 including Michael 
Leda, president; Shawn Huffine, vice president; Dustin Hansen, 
treasurer; Marshall Kaminsky, recording secretary; Mike Compton, 
business manager; Bill Haase, assistant business manager; Stan Miles, 
director of membership development; the members of the executive board, 
exam board, and office staff for guiding IBEW Local 153 to this 
remarkable milestone, as it continues to support the goals first 
envisioned by its founders.
  Most importantly, I congratulate all IBEW Local 153 members and their 
families for their loyalty, ongoing support, and hard work they give 
the Michiana community.
  On behalf of the citizens of Indiana, I sincerely congratulate each 
and every member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
Local 153 on their 100th Anniversary, and I wish them continued success 
and growth over the next 100 years.

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