[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 156 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1213-E1214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTHEASTERN 
         PENNSYLVANIA BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2019

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 120th 
Anniversary of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Building and Construction 
Trades Council. The Trades Council was originally formed as a 
subcommittee of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council in 1899, 
following the rapid growth of unionization of workers in the area. The 
milestone will be celebrated along with the 125th anniversary of the 
Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council at a special event on Saturday, 
September 28, 2019.
  In 1899, five years after its formation, the Wilkes-Barre Central 
Labor Council was thriving. Three hundred delegates representing 118 
local unions were attending meetings regularly to discuss important 
issues such as securing higher wages and better working conditions for 
laborers in the Wyoming Valley. Leaders John Casey (a pro-labor 
Representative who served seven terms representing Northeastern 
Pennsylvania in the U.S. House) and John Mullery saw the need for 
additional structure within the Labor Council and created the Building 
Trades Council as a subcommittee.
  Throughout its 120-year history, the Trades Council has worked 
tirelessly to advocate for the rights and interests of workers 
throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The organization has not only 
benefited workers but has also given support to many community causes, 
projects, and programs that serve everyone in our community.
  It is an honor to recognize the important work done by the 
Northeastern Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. 
These trades have always been vital to our region's economy and will 
continue to be so in

[[Page E1214]]

the future. I wish the leaders and members of the Council the best as 
they continue to support workers in the building trades by standing up 
for better wages, safer working conditions, modernized job training, 
and additional family-sustaining job opportunities for our workforce.

                          ____________________