[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8987-8988]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  HONORING ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 
                            50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2000

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Associated Builders 
and Contractors as it prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary 
Convention in Baltimore beginning May 31.
  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade 
association representing over 22,000 contractors, subcontractors 
material suppliers and related firms from across the country and from 
all specialties in the construction industry. Seven contractors called 
the very first ABC meeting to order on June 1, 1950 in Baltimore, 
Maryland. Since that day, ABC has been the industry's voice for merit 
shop construction.
  ABC is the only national association devoted to the merit shop 
philosophy, which aims to provide the best management techniques, the 
finest craftsmanship, and the most competitive bidding and pricing 
strategies in the industry. Merit shop companies employ approximately 
80 percent, or 4 out of 5, of all construction workers in the nation.
  ABC believes that union and merit shop (open shop) contractors and 
their employees should work together in harmony and that work should be 
awarded to the lowest responsible bidder regardless of labor 
affiliation.
  ABC is committed to developing a safe workplace and high-performance 
work force through quality education and training with comprehensive 
safety and health programs.

[[Page 8988]]

ABC is dedicated to fighting for free enterprise, fair and open 
competition, less government, more opportunities for jobs, tax relief, 
increased training, and elimination of frivolous complaints and over-
regulation. ABC promotes and defends the individual's rights to 
unlimited opportunities. Merit shop construction provides unlimited 
growth and career advancement to workers who recognize the value of 
hard work and dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, I send my sincere best wishes as Associated Builders and 
Contractors celebrates this milestone in its history. It is with great 
pride and appreciation that I recognize the accomplishments of this 
fine group.

                          ____________________