[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WELCOMING BRUCE BAILLIE TO THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
(Mr. KILMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, when you come in to Bremerton, Washington,
on the ferry, you see one of my favorite sights. It is Building 460 of
the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and it says on the side of the
building: ``Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Building on a Proud Tradition.''
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is far and away the largest employer in the
region I represent, and these are men and women who take great pride in
their work and have done so for over 125 years.
They are also critical to the success of our Navy's national security
mission, but too often in this town, they don't get the respect they
deserve. That is why my guest this evening is Bruce Baillie with the
Bremerton Building and Metal Trades Council. Bruce is a local leader
for our shipyard workers, and I want to make sure that this new
administration understands how important this workforce is to our
country.
These are not just talented professionals. They have been amazing
partners in putting together an action agenda for shipyard workers that
we introduced last week: exempting our shipyard workers from the hiring
freeze which is critical to our Nation's security, making sure that
retired servicemembers--our veterans--are able to secure jobs in our
Defense Department, and halting policies that lower the compensation of
defense workers--changes in per diem and overtime policies that affect
their take-home pay.
It is important that we have the backs of these vital workers, and
that is why I have invited Bruce Baillie as my guest this evening.
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