[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9628-9629]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            SPRINKLER FITTERS, LOCAL 550, 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sprinkler 
Fitters, Local 550, on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary and to 
congratulate Business Manager Peter Gibbons as he leads the Sprinkler 
Fitters, Local 550, into their second century of excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, on June 17, 1916, United Association General President, 
John R. Alpine, had the foresight to move the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 
550, toward independence from one of the several auxiliary locals, to 
their now sister local Road Sprinkler Fitters, Local 669. During the 
United Association General Convention of 1946, the Sprinkler Fitters, 
Local 550, were awarded their autonomous status. After significant 
debate, the delegates voted to give the auxiliaries their independent 
status and made that status retroactive to the signing of each charter. 
In the case of Local 550, their status was retroactively dated on June 
17, 1916.
  Until 1993, Local 550 had offices at various locations in Boston and 
monthly union meetings were hosted in several different locations. On 
November 1, 1993, Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, moved into their newly 
reconstructed home at 46 Rockland Street in West Roxbury, 
Massachusetts; a building which was large enough to house a union 
meeting hall. Ironically, the building was destroyed twice by fire 
damage during previous inceptions as the Leiderkranz German Club, and 
the Roberts Post, before Local 550 purchased the land and commenced 
renovations that included the installation of a working fire protection 
system. The purchase and renovations were overseen by the late Brother 
George McCarthy, who served as Business Manager for 30 years from 1974 
until 2004 when current Business Manager, Financial Secretary, Peter 
Gibbons took office.
  The Rockland Street location also served as the original home to the 
Local 550, Apprenticeship Training Facility until 2014 when, under the 
direction of Business Manager and Joint Apprenticeship Coordinator 
Peter Gibbons and the entire Joint Apprenticeship Committee, the 
apprentices were relocated to a new, state-of-the-art training center 
in Weymouth, Massachusetts. At present, apprentices are now trained in 
all aspects of the installation and inspection of fire protection 
systems, while capably providing the future workforce of Local 550. 
Among the many skills they learn, apprentices of Local 550 are provided 
with hands-on training using actual working fire pumps that flow water 
to facilitate training in the installation and inspection of all 
aspects of fire pumps. Included in the new training facility is a mock 
two-story house constructed within the training center where 
apprentices learn to plan and implement sprinkler installations. This 
hands-on approach fully

[[Page 9629]]

prepares apprentices for real life situations that often arise on the 
job.
  Mr. Speaker, there have been many changes in the industry since the 
Local's inception 100 years ago, but the one thing that has remained 
constant is the bond of the Union Brotherhood and Local 550's 
commitment to the communities they serve. Not only are there nearly 650 
Local 550 hardworking brothers and sisters quick to lend a hand to 
fellow members, they are also known for their tremendous acts of 
selfless charitable giving to the many communities throughout the 
state. Local 550 members have donated their time and resources to many 
important community efforts. These projects include the Gavin 
Foundation, Chez-Vous Roller Rink, and Habitat for Humanity. In 
addition, Local 550 members sponsor a golf fundraiser; most recently 
benefitting the Phoenix Society, which supports burn survivors.
  Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, 
100th Anniversary Gala weekend held June 24 through June 26, 2016 in 
Boston, I rise to extend my congratulations and appreciation for Local 
550's 100 years of service to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing my work with the 
outstanding men and women of Sprinkler Fitters, Local 550, and wish 
them nothing but success for the next 100 years.
  Congratulations on this momentous occasion.

                          ____________________