WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) led a bipartisan coalition—alongside Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), and Donald Norcross (D-NJ)—to introduce a resolution officially designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day, honoring the tens of thousands of lineworkers across America who put their lives on the line to keep our communities powered, safe, and connected.
“Our journeyman lineworkers are the frontline defenders of our infrastructure. They respond without hesitation – often at great personal risk – to restore the power that sustains our homes, hospitals, and economy. In Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation, I’ve met with these dedicated men and women, listened to their concerns, and worked to ensure they have the respect, protection, and resources they deserve. This resolution is not merely symbolic – it is a formal recognition of their service and a promise to have their backs, just as they always have ours,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.
“Every day, lineworkers rise to the challenge – often working long hours in hazardous conditions – to keep the lights on and our communities running,” said Congresswoman Sánchez, the first woman member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) elected to Congress. “From rebuilding the grid after major storms to maintaining the systems that power our daily lives, their steadfast dedication ensures that our communities stay connected.”
“As an electrician by trade, I'm proud to join Representatives Sánchez, Fitzpatrick and Bresnahan in introducing a resolution to designate July 10th as Lineworkers 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.”
“I want to express my deep gratitude to the skilled men and women who work around the clock not only on Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day, but every day,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “As the former Chairman of an IBEW Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, I know firsthand the dedication lineworkers have to keeping our lights on and our communities running smoothly. I am glad to join Representatives Sánchez, Fitzpatrick, and Norcross to recognize their vital importance to our communities.”
“On this 2025 Lineworker Appreciation Day, we proudly honor the hardworking men and women who keep our lights on and our communities safe – no matter the weather or the hour,” said David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association. “Their skill, sacrifice, and service power America every day. On behalf of our contractors and their employees across our nation, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Representatives Linda Sánchez, Donald Norcross, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Rob Bresnahan for introducing this year’s bipartisan resolution, ensuring our nation never forgets the vital role lineworkers play in our everyday lives.”
“America’s lineworkers are heroes in every sense of the word, putting their own safety on the line day in and day out to provide the electricity that powers every aspect of our modern lives,” said Kenneth W. Cooper, international president of the IBEW. “Honoring them on this day is fitting, but our gratitude for them and the work they do lasts year-round. The IBEW is proud to represent the best of the best of our nation’s lineworkers and to thank them for all they do for all of us.”
“EEI and our member electric companies proudly recognize America’s lineworkers today and every day. These brave men and women are essential to delivering the safe, reliable, and affordable electricity that drives our nation’s economy and powers our communities and our daily lives” said Drew Maloney, president and CEO of Edison Electric Institute. “Lineworkers are the face of our industry and work day and night—often in dangerous conditions—to keep the lights on. We thank Representatives Sanchez, Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick, and Norcross for their leadership in honoring their service.”
The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day to honor Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the IBEW. 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.
Background:
Fitzpatrick has long been a leading voice for America’s lineworkers and skilled trades professionals. In recognition of his advocacy and efforts, he was honored in March with the John D. Dingell Award—one of the electric power industry’s most prestigious distinctions—presented to public officials who have worked to advance priorities of the industry and IBEW members.
The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day in honor of Henry Miller, a pioneering figure in American labor history and the founder of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). As a lineman in the late 19th century, Miller witnessed firsthand the dangerous conditions and unjust wages his fellow workers endured. Determined to bring about change, he traveled the country organizing linemen and, in 1891, was elected the first president of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Tragically, Miller lost his life on July 10, 1896, after falling while attempting to restore power during an outage in Washington, D.C. His legacy lives on in the IBEW, now one of the largest and most diverse labor unions in the United States, representing hundreds of thousands of electrical workers nationwide.
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