[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 41 (Thursday, March 7, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY ON THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2019

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
American Welding Society on their 100th anniversary, and to commend 
them on their exemplary service to not only the global welding industry 
as a whole, but also our community in South Florida.
   The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919 when leaders 
within the industry joined forces to advance the science, technology, 
and application of welding on both a national and international scale. 
Initially, the AWS was composed of 286 members and had one section, 
located in Philadelphia, PA. Today, the AWS is headquartered in Miami, 
FL and offers services for over 70,000 members worldwide. In line with 
their mission to offer professional development, the AWS provides a 
number of certification programs for welders, including the Certified 
Welding Inspector program, which was established in 1976, and has since 
certified over 97,000 welding inspectors.
   Having had the privilege to work with the AWS on a number of 
occasions during my time in Congress, I know firsthand the level of 
commitment and dedication that the entire organization has for the 
industry and its members. In its one hundred years of activity, the AWS 
has continued to make monumental strides in assisting and advancing 
welders around the world. Notably, the organization has done an 
exceptional job in expanding the welding network through educational 
opportunities and research programs, which, in turn, has led to immense 
growth throughout the industry.
   I am proud that a well-respected and committed organization like the 
AWS is not only headquartered in our great state, but also Florida's 
25th District. By celebrating its 100th anniversary and reaching this 
significant milestone, the AWS has proven that their mission of 
bettering the welding industry not only provides significant results, 
but is also essential for its continued growth.
   Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the American Welding 
Society for its significant contributions to the industry and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable organization for 
its dedicated work in the local and global welding community.

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