[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYEES AND 
                          ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2019

  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National 
Federation of Public and Private Employees (FOPE) as it celebrates 25 
years of fighting for American workers.
  The National Federation of Public and Private Employees represents 
over 15,000 public sector employees in Florida who work for our 
colleges and universities, our counties and municipalities, and our 
school board and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, FOPE 
represents numerous private sector employees across the United States 
in the fields of aerospace, automotive, forestry, and parking and 
transportation.
  The right to collective bargaining is vital for strong labor and 
safety standards. Since passage of the National Labor Relations Act in 
1935, employees have had the right to organize and determine whether 
they wish to have unions to represent them. As a result of this 
organizing, union members earn 28% more in yearly wages, are more 
likely to have employer provided health insurance, and enjoy more 
secure pension benefits than their counterparts.
  Madam Speaker, the benefits of FOPE' s efforts reach far beyond its 
membership, improving the working conditions and compensation of 
workers across the board. For this, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating and thanking FOPE and its current President, Dan 
Reynolds, on their 25 years of service to workers in my district and 
across the country.

                          ____________________