[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF IBEW LOCAL 252

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 10, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
(IBEW) Local 252 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is an honor to highlight 
their commitment to brotherhood and the working families of Washtenaw 
County and Mid-Michigan.
  On June 6th, 1916, twelve men, agreeing to the principles and 
objectives of the IBEW, received their official charter for IBEW Local 
252. At the time, working conditions for laborers and trades workers 
were deplorable. In that era, the death rate for an electrician was 
more than twice the death rate for trades workers in other industries. 
It was commonplace that workers in many trades toiled under twelve hour 
work days for six or seven days a week, with substandard wages and few 
if any benefits, not to mention training or workplace safety rules. One 
hundred years later, we have workplace rules, training, safety, fair 
wages and benefits, and this would not be the case if not for the 
vision and courage of these original founders, which is why we 
celebrate this very important milestone. What those founders were 
fighting for then, and what these union members are fighting for now is 
a shot at the American dream, a dream that we all must continue to 
protect for future generations.
  Today, under the leadership of Business Manager Tim Hutchens, IBEW 
Local 252 has grown to a membership of over 800 men and women and 
continues to grow. Local 252 provides the best trained and most 
experienced electricians for many of the most important construction 
projects in the area. Whether the projects are at the University of 
Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, or elsewhere, if the job needs 
to get done right and done right the first time, you call on Local 252 
members. With this high level of commitment to quality and skill, it is 
no wonder that this local has grown over the years to become what it is 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to celebrate the 
100th anniversary of IBEW Local 252, and I know we will be celebrating 
the accomplishments of this local for many years to come.

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