[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF 
                      ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 159

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Local 159 in 
Madison, WI, on their 125th anniversary. I am pleased to honor this 
organization and to commemorate this historic milestone.
  Chartered in 1900, IBEW Local 159 began with only 25 members. These 
members all recognized that their union was crucial to improving the 
pay and working conditions for electrical workers in their community. 
At the time, many were experiencing 7-day work weeks with 12-hour 
workdays and pay as low as $8 a week. Additionally, the work was 
difficult and dangerous with a fatality rate of 50 percent, twice the 
national average death rate for all other industries.
  Today, IBEW Local 159 includes active members and retirees who work 
across many different fields, including construction, 
telecommunications, broadcasting, utilities, manufacturing, railroads, 
government, and coffee shops. Union members bargain collectively with 
employers for fair wages, benefits, rights, and legal protections. IBEW 
Local 159 members are also deeply involved in greater Madison 
community. Some of the projects members have volunteered for include 
Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Habitat for Humanity, Vilas Park Zoo Annual 
Fundraising programs, Ronald McDonald House, Halloween Tunnel of 
Terror, and Fishing Has No Boundaries.
  As IBEW Local 159 celebrates its 125th anniversary, they hope to 
continue the successes of four previous generations by protecting their 
craft and geographic jurisdiction, continuing to organize contractors, 
and developing their apprenticeship and training programs. This will 
allow them to build solidarity among their members and protect quality 
work into the future.
  As we honor this significant milestone for IBEW Local 159, I am 
grateful for their continued support of skilled trade workers, and I 
look forward to their continued success and impact in the years to 
come.

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