Members of Congress Salute IFPTE

During IFPTE’s Legislative Advocacy Conference, IFPTE in conjunction with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, hosted a reception on Capitol Hill to recognize the contributions of the union and its members.  Representatives and Senators, as well as key Congressional staff, came by before the State of the Union address to meet IFPTE leaders and activists, discussing ways that they could work with the union to benefit their states and the communities in their districts. 

Senator Van Hollen addressed the gathering and recognized the work that IFPTE members do every day to support the economy and keep governments running effectively at every level.  “The workers you represent deserve the appreciation of the American people and every member of Congress for the professionalism and dedication that they bring to the job,” Van Hollen said.  “I look forward to working with the Biden Administration, as well as President Biggs and Secretary-Treasurer Henson, to advance our shared agenda of creating jobs and ensuring that we have an economy that includes workers from every walk of life.”

Both Biggs and Henson thanked Van Hollen for his staunch support of IFPTE members in the Senate.  “Senator Van Hollen does more than simply vote our rights way,” Biggs said.  “He goes the extra mile for union workers, from the Senate floor to the picket line.”  Henson added, “Both Senator Van Hollen and his wife Katherine were federal workers, so he has a special understanding of and appreciation for the work that our members do.”

In addition to those members of Congress who showed their support by attending the Hill reception, attendees were also honored to be joined by Washington, DC, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton during the regular session of the conference.  Delegate Norton spoke of her lifelong fight for economic justice and workers rights.  She also noted the generations’ long struggle that her family, like many others, had to endure - from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement to today.  “My grandfather walked from a plantation in Virginia to Washington, DC, for his freedom,” she said.  “But at the end of that journey, he did not find equal rights under the law.”  Delegate Norton continues that walk in the Halls of Congress today.

Local 561 President Regina Parker, representing Army Corps of Engineers workers, noted that the Capitol Hill event was a sign of the effectiveness of IFPTE’s political and legislative program.  “Matt and Gay are effective advocates in the Halls of Congress because they haven’t forgotten their roots,” Parker said.  “They are able to see the connection between the actions that our elected officials take and how those changes can benefit the daily lives of our members, and they use that connection to effect real and positive change.”