Skip to main content

Reps. Sánchez, McKinley, and Norcross Introduce Resolution to Designate Journeyman Lineman Recognition Day

July 10, 2019

Image
Journeyman Lineman Day

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Chair of the Labor and Working Families Caucus, along with Reps. David Mckinley (R-WV), and Donald Norcross (D-NJ) introduced legislation to designate July 10, 2019, as Journeyman Lineman Recognition Day. Over 100 Members of Congress have co-sponsored the resolution.

"Communities across our country benefit from the hard work Journeyman Linemen do to power our homes, schools, businesses, and keep our economy running," said Rep. Sánchez, member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 441. "These brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to ensure that everyone has reliable access to electricity. They also represent a crucial and too often forgotten part of our nation's infrastructure. I'm proud to introduce this resolution, which honors their hard work and sacrifice in the development of our country."

"America's line workers are often forgotten and underappreciated, but day in and day out they put themselves in danger to ensure that we have access to reliable electricity for our homes, hospitals, and businesses. These men and women power one of our nation's most critical infrastructure components," said Rep. McKinley. "It's an honor to join with Congresswoman Sánchez and Congressman Norcross on this resolution to honor these brave workers who put their lives on the line to serve our communities and the American people."

"As an electrician who worked in the field for years, I know first-hand the dangers facing lineworkers. These hard-working men and women keep our country running every day. Plus, they are quick to respond when called upon to get the power back on following hurricanes and other natural disasters," said Rep. Norcross, an IBEW electrician and a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. "Lineworkers are unsung heroes and I'm proud to work with my colleagues on this resolution to acknowledge their hard work."

"Our union's founder Henry Miller devoted his life to helping his fellow linemen," said IBEW International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. "To honor today's linemen each year on the day of his death is a true tribute to the sacrifices he made on behalf of electrical workers everywhere."

"The nation's lineworkers are the face of America's electric companies, and they truly are deserving of our appreciation today, and every day," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "Lineworkers are among the first responders in the wake of storms and other disasters, and we are grateful to these dedicated men and women, and the families who support them, for the work they do to power our lives."

Background:

National Journeyman Lineman Day takes place on July 10 each year to honor a Journeyman Lineman leader, Henry Miller.

Henry Miller was the first elected president and founding member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country. Miller began his career as a water boy on a government telegraph project in Texas at the age of 14. 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 fellow linemen and helped found the IBEW in 1891. Unfortunately, his life was cut short on July 10, 1896, while working to solve a power outage in Washington, D.C.