[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 109 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IBEW LOCAL 134, DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with excitement and a sense of 
pride in my heart. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am here to share some great 
news coming out of my hometown of Chicago, Illinois, because next week, 
on Monday, a group of smart, dedicated, and hardworking young African 
American men from Dunbar High School located in my district will start 
new jobs in the skills-based industry.
  These jobs, Mr. Speaker, and the young men's employment are a result 
of a robust partnership and a sincere commitment to diversity that 
brought the city of Chicago, the Chicago public schools, and the IBEW 
Local 134 together to form an innovative construction trades program.
  Mr. Speaker, I am extremely encouraged by these motivated and 
diligent young men who never gave up and who saw the opportunity and 
hope that was available to them that extended beyond their environment. 
This program, the partnership it represents, and the hopes that it 
inspires is spot on. It is exactly the type of investment our most 
vulnerable communities need because it has the potential to yield life-
altering results.
  Programs like this one not only provide hope by decreasing 
joblessness, but they have the ability to play a major role in reducing 
the pervasive violence that plagues our Nation and our communities.
  This particular program, Mr. Speaker, is an important endeavor that 
offers more opportunities to underserved communities across the Nation 
by providing students in their junior and senior years of high school 
the chance to learn skills in fields including general construction, 
carpentry, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, welding, and electrical 
work, among many, many others.
  After graduation, students have multiple options available to them. 
They can enter a pre-apprenticeship program; they can pursue a 
postsecondary education; or they can obtain professional certification 
that will lead to immediate employment, as it has for these young men.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to take a moment and recognize Mayor Rahm 
Emanuel's commitment to seeing this program's initiation and 
inauguration to get off the ground.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, this would not have been possible without 
the hard work and devotion of some dedicated individuals and 
organizations. So I want to thank the IBEW Local 134 and Don Finn, its 
president, and the city of Chicago, the Chicago public schools, and, 
most importantly, the instructors and the mentors of these young men 
for their persistence in seeing that this vision emerged and ensuring 
that the next generation that builds America represents the diversity 
of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely wish these young men the best as they embark 
on this new chapter in their lives. I want them to know that, with 
their perseverance, they have made it easier for those individuals, 
those young men and young women, who will follow in their footsteps.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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