[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 149 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H4350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BILL HABEL

  (Mr. FOSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and work 
of Bill Habel, of Naperville, who passed away suddenly just a few weeks 
ago at the age of 63.
  Bill was a tireless champion for workers and their families, and he 
never missed an opportunity to help amplify their voices. He started 
his career as a union electrician in 1986 and was a dedicated member of 
IBEW Local 701.
  Beyond his day-to-day work, Bill made it a priority to give back and 
to help others begin their careers. He spent 23 years as an instructor 
for the electrical workers' apprenticeship program, helping introduce 
others to good-paying career opportunities in the building trades.
  He was a leading voice for the economic development of the Naperville 
community and never missed a chance to advocate for job creation and 
infrastructure development that attracted so many people to Naperville 
and to DuPage County.
  Madam Speaker, Bill knew instinctively what many of us have learned, 
that when you prioritize workers and their families, the entire 
community benefits. Simply put, the Naperville community is a better 
place because of the work that he did and what he did to help build it 
up.
  I am proud to call Bill a friend and even more proud of the work that 
he accomplished for his community. We will all miss him dearly.

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