[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PIERCE COUNTY LABOR COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2015

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 125th 
Anniversary of the Pierce County Labor Council and the celebration of 
labor standing in solidarity and fighting for workers' rights 
throughout our region.
  The men and women who make up our labor force serve as the backbone 
of our communities. They are our folks at the port who handle the goods 
and products that keep Washington state's economy moving and make us a 
strong national and global trade partner; they are the men and women 
who make the best airplanes in the world; they are our government 
employees who help manage our cities, keep our service members safe, 
provide social services, and deliver our mail; they are the educators 
who prepare our kids for success in school and in life; they are our 
grocery store workers who make sure we have fresh food every day and in 
times of emergency; they are the folks who deliver goods to our homes 
and businesses; they are the fire fighters and police officers who keep 
our communities safe; and they are the people in the trades who build 
the roads and bridges and buildings that strengthen our economy.
  For 125 years, the Pierce County Labor Council has fought to protect 
the rights of our labor force. They are on the frontlines fighting for 
fair wages, safe working conditions and quality health care benefits. 
And they are pushing to make sure our current and future retirees can 
spend their senior years in dignity, by receiving their hard-earned 
benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, leaders like Patty Rose and Vance Lelli have made labor 
a force in the South Sound region and throughout the state of 
Washington. In Pierce County, the Council has grown from eight labor 
groups to 90 affiliates representing 37,000 hard working families. I am 
proud to recognize the 125th Anniversary of the Pierce County Central 
Labor Council here today and am honored to represent the hard working 
men and women throughout our region who will continue to fight for a 
strong workforce.

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