[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL 
                           WORKERS LOCAL 158

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
Local 158 from Green Bay, WI. The original charter of Local 158 was 
filed on June 6, 1919.
  IBEW Local 158 occupies a storied place in the history of organized 
labor in northeast Wisconsin. Electrical workers in Green Bay began 
organizing for better wages and working conditions as early as 1902. By 
1919, the workers had a committed core of electrical workers and filed 
the charter to establish a chapter of the IBEW on June 6 of that year. 
On June 17, 1919, the Local held its first meeting at the home of 
Brother August Verheyden. The Local increased its influence and 
magnified its voice by joining other groups advocating for workers and 
their families. In 1921, IBEW Local 158 joined the State Federation of 
Labor, the Green Bay Labor Council, and the Green Bay Building Trades.
  Construction of paper mills and powerplants in the Fox Valley created 
steady employment for IBEW members. Their experience was especially 
important when the call for skilled labor went out during World War II 
to help build ships for the U.S. Navy. After the surprise attack on 
Pearl Harbor, the Navy rapidly began building low-cost cargo ships 
called Liberty Ships, as well as smaller torpedo patrol and submarine 
chaser boats. Members of IBEW Local 158, along with their brethren from 
Local 1012 at the Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon 
Bay, stepped up to this challenge and contributed to the successful 
U.S. war effort.
  IBEW Local 158 continued its significant contributions to the Green 
Bay economy and community through its work on Green Bay's City Hall, 
which opened in 1957. That same year, the Local celebrated its 
contribution to the completion of the Lake Michigan pipeline and the 
new City Stadium, home of the Green Bay Packers.
  In the early 1970s, Local 158 merged with three other Wisconsin IBEW 
organizations: Local 751 in Manitowoc, Local 1012 in Sturgeon Bay, and 
Local 1235 in Marinette, making Local 158 a stronger, more diverse and 
financially sound Local in the Brotherhood.
  In recent times, the skills and expertise of Local 158 members are on 
display at nearby nuclear power stations, paper mills, shipyards, and 
hospitals. In 2003, IBEW contributed to the significant renovations at 
Lambeau Field, a landmark we in Wisconsin like to refer to as the ``8th 
Wonder of the World.''
  IBEW Local 158, however, is known for far more than its economic 
achievements. Its members also deserve recognition for their 
significant contributions to their community through generous 
charitable initiatives. In addition, its advocacy on behalf of family 
supporting wages has helped build the strong middle class Green Bay 
enjoys today.
  On this important day, marking 100 years of outstanding service to 
its members, its union, and its community, I heartily congratulate IBEW 
Local 158 on its successful advocacy on behalf of working families, and 
I wish its members continued progress for the next 100 years.

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