At an event honoring National Lineworker Appreciation Day at the U.S. Capitol’s Rayburn building on July 12, 2023, representatives from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and three members of Congress spoke about the importance of the lineworker, the dangerous history of the work and the life lived by Henry Miller. They also signed a resolution declaring July 10 as National Lineworker Appreciation Day in front of an audience of members of congress, staff, and area lineworkers. 

 To be celebrated annually on July 10, National Lineworker Appreciation Day honors the life and work of Henry Miller, the first IBEW president, and the nation’s more than 100,000 electrical lineworkers. These dedicated lineworkers often work around the clock and in dangerous conditions following hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, winter storms and other extreme weather events to ensure that the customers and the communities they serve have access to safe and reliable electricity. Lineworkers also maintain and enhance the energy grid and play a critical role in delivering America’s resilient clean-energy future. 

“I think everybody likes electricity and, with storms, likes to have it back on,” said Tom Kuhn, Edison Electric Institute president and CEO, adding that lineworkers help bring this power back after “wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, or anything in between, our nation’s brave lineworkers always rise to the challenge. They are heroes, and we commend their commitment to restoring power safely and as quickly as possible for our customers and the communities we serve.”  

Donnie Colston, director for the Utility Department for the IBEW, honored Henry Miller, the first president of the IBEW, who came up through the ranks of lineworkers, starting as a water boy on his first job.   

David Long, NECA CEO, talked about the dangers of linework, including the sobering statistic from the past, when 1 out of 2 lineworkers died in the field in the early 1900s.  

“This country will only remain free due to the work of our lineworkers,” Long said, citing the lineworker’s importance to the overall economy. “Society as we know it, would not exist without our brave lineworkers who endure extreme conditions daily to power our homes, schools, and hospitals. We not only thank these highly skilled professionals for their dedication to our communities but acknowledge the hazards they face and the sacrifices they make to keep electricity flowing throughout our country. NECA and our more than 4,000 contractors would like to thank all the Congressional Representatives for recognizing their efforts by cosponsoring the resolution."”  

Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., an IBEW member herself, said it was “an exciting day to be here with colleagues to mark lineworker appreciation day.” She said that the bill had bipartisan support and that was intended to “recognize the hard work of the men and women … that keep our lights on and our economy moving.” She mentioned how quickly lineworkers mobilize when a storm strikes and that the resolution honors the men and women who worked at a time when safety conditions were nonexistent.  

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., also an IBEW worker for 47 years, said that “I went from steel tips to wing tips,” but now can work in Congress on behalf of those lineworkers that start moving when a storm strikes, sleep in their trucks, and get the power back on. He said that “more lineworkers died during storm breaks” than during other times and “It’s changed due to legislation passed by congress.”  

Norcross added, “As a former electrician by trade, I know just how dangerous the job of a Lineworker is, and I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to honor their skill, dedication, and hard work.” 

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., said that “not many people are aware of how important and how dangerous line work is.” 

“Journeymen lineworkers work overtime to restore power to our communities after major storms,” Fitzpatrick said. “Today and every day, I am grateful for their hard work, and I am proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan resolution to recognize their invaluable contributions and powering of our nation.”  

More than 150 members of Congress cosponsored the resolution to designate July 10 as National Lineworker Appreciation Day.