[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE PIPEFITTERS LOCAL #208 ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR CENTENNIAL 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Local 
#208 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the 
Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, located in Denver, Colorado. From 
their formation on April 26, 1902, Local #208 has a history full of 
challenge, perseverance, loyalty, and ingenuity.
  Before the creation of Local #208, conditions for pipefitters based 
in Denver were generally poor. Employment was not steady and jobs were 
scattered across the nation, forcing pipefitters to constantly move. 
However, with the increase in indoor plumbing and construction, 
pipefitters soon found employment in hospitals, schools, and water 
systems, among others.
  As the number of jobs grew, so did the need for a union to protect 
the interests of the workers in the pipefitting industry. The national 
union was founded on October 7, 1889 and two of the first elected 
officers were from Denver.
  On April 26, 2002, the Pipefitters Local #208 will have existed for 
100 years. This is truly an achievement. From their beginnings in 1902, 
the Local has contributed to the welfare of their members, as well as 
the pipefitting industry. The loyalty of Local #208 to its members was 
demonstrated numerous times when it came to the aid of financially 
distressed pipefitters in Denver and across Colorado. In fact, the 
Local provided interest free loans to its members who were experiencing 
difficult times.
  Local #208 also gave back to Denver and its budding pipefitters. 
Local #208 coordinated with other locals in the region to advocate for 
stronger worker protections, improvements in health and safety, and 
contract agreements. Additionally, the Local created a Joint 
Apprenticeship Committee that provides training and accreditation of 
new pipefitters.
  In the last 25 years, Local #208 has successfully fought for better 
wages and working conditions of its membership and has helped to make 
Denver the great city it is today. Members of Local #208 have 
contributed to the construction of such Denver institutions as the home 
of the Denver Broncos, the Denver Public Library, the Denver 
International Airport, and the home of the Colorado Rockies.
  Over 100 years, Local #208 has thrived through perseverance, loyalty, 
and creativity. These are the characteristics that will allow Local 
#208 to last for another 100 years. I am proud to congratulate Local 
#208 on their first 100 years and wish them all the best in the future.

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