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[Page S5099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL
WORKERS LOCAL 158
Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 100th
anniversary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 158 from Green Bay, WI. The original charter of Local 158 was
filed on June 6, 1919.
IBEW Local 158 occupies a storied place in the history of organized
labor in northeast Wisconsin. Electrical workers in Green Bay began
organizing for better wages and working conditions as early as 1902. By
1919, the workers had a committed core of electrical workers and filed
the charter to establish a chapter of the IBEW on June 6 of that year.
On June 17, 1919, the Local held its first meeting at the home of
Brother August Verheyden. The Local increased its influence and
magnified its voice by joining other groups advocating for workers and
their families. In 1921, IBEW Local 158 joined the State Federation of
Labor, the Green Bay Labor Council, and the Green Bay Building Trades.
Construction of paper mills and powerplants in the Fox Valley created
steady employment for IBEW members. Their experience was especially
important when the call for skilled labor went out during World War II
to help build ships for the U.S. Navy. After the surprise attack on
Pearl Harbor, the Navy rapidly began building low-cost cargo ships
called Liberty Ships, as well as smaller torpedo patrol and submarine
chaser boats. Members of IBEW Local 158, along with their brethren from
Local 1012 at the Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon
Bay, stepped up to this challenge and contributed to the successful
U.S. war effort.
IBEW Local 158 continued its significant contributions to the Green
Bay economy and community through its work on Green Bay's City Hall,
which opened in 1957. That same year, the Local celebrated its
contribution to the completion of the Lake Michigan pipeline and the
new City Stadium, home of the Green Bay Packers.
In the early 1970s, Local 158 merged with three other Wisconsin IBEW
organizations: Local 751 in Manitowoc, Local 1012 in Sturgeon Bay, and
Local 1235 in Marinette, making Local 158 a stronger, more diverse and
financially sound Local in the Brotherhood.
In recent times, the skills and expertise of Local 158 members are on
display at nearby nuclear power stations, paper mills, shipyards, and
hospitals. In 2003, IBEW contributed to the significant renovations at
Lambeau Field, a landmark we in Wisconsin like to refer to as the ``8th
Wonder of the World.''
IBEW Local 158, however, is known for far more than its economic
achievements. Its members also deserve recognition for their
significant contributions to their community through generous
charitable initiatives. In addition, its advocacy on behalf of family
supporting wages has helped build the strong middle class Green Bay
enjoys today.
On this important day, marking 100 years of outstanding service to
its members, its union, and its community, I heartily congratulate IBEW
Local 158 on its successful advocacy on behalf of working families, and
I wish its members continued progress for the next 100 years.
____________________
