WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) led more than 155 members of the House of Representatives in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day.

“As an electrician by trade, I'm proud to join Representatives Sánchez and Fitzpatrick in introducing a resolution to designate July 10th as Lineworker Appreciation Day, recognizing the 120,000 lineworkers across the country who work tirelessly to power our communities,” said Congressman Norcross, co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “These men and women often work throughout the night in hazardous conditions and after natural disasters to keep America on, and they deserve to be honored for their courageous efforts.”

“As we introduce this resolution honoring their sacrifice and dedication, lineworkers from around the country are on the ground in Texas working under dangerous conditions to restore power to millions who lost it during Hurricane Beryl,” said Congresswoman Sánchez, the first woman member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) elected to Congress. “From the chaos of storms to the daily grind of maintaining our infrastructure, lineworkers ensure our communities stay powered and stay connected. Our resolution honors that commitment to keeping our country moving forward.”

“Our dedicated Journeyman Lineworkers work tirelessly every day, and often in perilous conditions, to keep the lights on in PA-1 and across the nation, to ensure our country continues moving forward,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to honor the invaluable contributions of these hardworking Americans and support them as they have supported us.”

“EEI and our member electric companies commend Representatives Sánchez, Norcross and Fitzpatrick for leading on this resolution to honor our nation's lineworkers,” said Dan Brouillette, president and CEO of Edison Electric Institute. “We salute our nation’s lineworkers and the incredibly important work they do every day. In the face of disaster, they stand ready to support and to rebuild, dedicating their lives to restoring electricity and hope to the customers and communities they serve. They are heroes, and we are grateful for their commitment to keeping the lights on.”

“Our nation’s lineworkers risk their lives day in and day out to bring Americans the power that runs our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals,” said Kenneth Cooper, international president of the IBEW. “Every member of Congress should join Rep. Linda Sánchez and the co-sponsors of this bill to celebrate these hard-working men and women and all they contribute to our country by designating July 10 as Journeyman Lineworker Recognition Day.”

"National Lineworker Appreciation Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the indispensable work of our nation’s lineworkers,” said David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association. “These courageous individuals labor diligently, frequently under hazardous conditions, to construct, maintain, and repair our transmission and distribution networks across the country. Their unwavering dedication and skill are vital to our everyday lives and the future of our nation. We are honored to celebrate their commitment and recognize their pivotal role in keeping America running smoothly."

The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day to honor Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the IBEW. Miller began his career at age 14 as a water boy on a government telegraph project in Texas. Years later, while working as a lineman, Miller became acutely aware of the dangerous conditions and subpar wages his fellow workers faced. He traveled across the country to organize linemen and was elected as the first president of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891. Sadly, Miller suffered a fatal fall on July 10, 1896, while working to solve a power outage in Washington, D.C. Today, the IBEW represents one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

###