Brothers and sisters, standing with these phenomenal leaders beside me that represent over 300 men and women from every background and walk of life, i get a little emotional. The members of north americas building trade unions, the men and women we are also proud to represent, you are the foundations of the future. Today we get to share a story of progress, collaboration and hope. Our journey fueled by dedication and resilience has led us to remarkable opportunities that are paving the way for a Brighter Future for all. The Biden Administration has proven to be an ally in our pursuit of progress. President joe biden in every facet of his ministrations is crafting pathways to build americas foundations for the future. The a compass men see has delivered the working the accomplishments he has delivered the working people of america and for the future of our democracy cannot be understated. After 40 years of tireless fights he went above and beyond. He delivered historic pension reform, saving millions of americans, including the Building Trades members. He delivered with the bipartisan infrastructure law, the greatest Infrastructure Investment in our nations history, to build safer roach, bridges roads, bridges, and broadband across america. He did not stop there. The provisions in this law would expand highquality Market Driven training so that more people can pursue their shot at the American Dream through the Building Trades. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey he passed permitting reform. And then when his unprecedented shifts in science investment, President Biden is bringing home the Semi Conductor industry, jumpstarting thousands of trades careers and funding transformative projects across america. And thanks to joe, the white house has reinforced the congressional intent of the davisbacon law for which we fought for so hard and so long. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey he delivered all of these massive wins for america while keeping our nation safe and economy secure through a Global Pandemic. Speaking of a massive win, for the first time in history we have labor standards on federal tax credits that Fund Clean Energy projects in the tax code. His Inflation Reduction Act go ahead, that is a really big one for us. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey his Inflation Reduction Act delivered an investment that will address climate change, create jobs, and ensure that hundreds of billions of dollars of work in the Energy Sector will be built with strong labor provisions. In fact, since the passage of this legislation nearly two years ago, hundreds of Clean Energy Projects have been announced across the country. For some of the project sponsors this is the first time working with us in the u. S. The influence of a labor Friendly Administration and the lure of maximizing tax credits motivated them to engage with us through mous and plas. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey in fact, nearly every tax credit in the ira contains a five time multiplier, where project owners pay prevailing wage. As a result, our members will benefit from projects ranging from battery facilities to geothermal, carbon capture, offshore wind, nuclear, solar, and all beyond. He knows people need to be at the top of the list when it comes to building our clean energy future. And President Bidens commitment to workers and innovation transcends all sectors. Let me give you an example. Just one program Hunter Bidens infrastructure law under biden infrastructures law, it is crating seven Hydrogen Hubs across the country. For every federal dollar invested, we are seeing 10 times the amount of provided investment coming in. You all have worked hard to ensure our members will construct these hubs, locking in thousands of jobs in these growing industries. Ladies and gentlemen, you are the folks that are making this happen. The people in this audience, the ones that came before you, have brought forth an achieved a just transition. [applause] and brothers and sisters, working with President Biden and his administration, in partnership, we have now finally, after all these years, that just transition. That too is built and will continue to build the offshore wind industry under project Labor Agreements. Our members into straight our members demonstrate we can deliver these projects under tough markets and tougher site conditions. You are the builders of colossal nuclear plants, like like one of which number four has been completed. From projects like a lithium mine in nevada to ev charging stations across the country. The men and women of the Building Trades are working from extraction to construction to deployment of the clean energy revolution. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey not in my lifetime have we had a president prioritize the value of americas skilled workers and the work that they do. We see it in his policies and we also see it in his people. Joe filled agencies with people that know the Building Trades. Joe, amanda, brendan, erica, and Ross Templeton are just a few of the many to name. With bidens new project Labor Agreement executive order, more than 50 projects have been put out for bid with the pla requirement and not one agency has asked for an exception. [applause] and there is more to come. President biden has helped government and industry recognize the value of plas, that these agreements resolve labor issues and improve wages and health and Safety Standards and ensure largescale projects are completed on time and on budget with the highest degree of quality, efficiency and safety. More communities are seeing family sustaining job creation, increased apprenticeship opportunities and improved local hiring goals to transition more workers to Union Construction careers. An apprentice ship readiness an Apprenticeship Readiness Program is helping thousands of women, people of color access to construction careers, boosting local economies and addressing the inequities that have been felt for generations. These are all wins for all construction workers, both union and nonunion. These wins are good for fair contractors and good for american taxpayers. These are wins for americas cities and towns, large and small, urban and rural. These victories are the foundations for the future, and they will echo through the generations. Mark my words, the policies today that the bid anden that biden and his administration helped us secure are the bedrock upon which we will build a more prosperous and equitable future. This is an extraordinary time for the Building Trades. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey we now have Pension Funds with over 1 trillion in assets. We adopted private equity labor standards. Private equity labor principles. Did you ever think you would hear that . [applause] mr. Mcgarvey we commend pension fund leaders like calpers in california. Thank you for taking the lead on this initiative. We also appreciate large Pension Funds like the nebf and consultants for stepping up to firms like blue wolf for joining our initiative. We encourage continued investments in our union family of funds. Firms likely aflcio Housing Investment trust provide competitive riskadjusted returns for our Retirement Funds while also ensuring that the projects they fund are built and operated 100 union. [applause] these wins are important because behind every policy win, behind every investment win, there are real workers lives at stake. Your attention, leadership and dedication can truly make or break the foundations we are laying. We cannot back down. We must keep fighting. We must show everyone how our work is transforming this nation, not just in iron, bricks, and metal, but how we, the Building Trades family, are at the forefront of lifechanging good work in this country. Over the past year i traveled on an opportunity lifeline tour as we promoted our model, economic and community development, the recruitment, retention, and diversity advancement. We are leaving to maximize investment with billions in public and private sectors throughout america. At these stops we hear stories of our brothers and sisters in society, what is going to leave behind, that found a home in the Building Trades. Like sierra in nashville, tennessee, who worked three deadend jobs, living paychecktopaycheck, until she was introduced to an Apprenticeship Readiness Program. Then in a matter of weeks she went from barely staying afloat at three jobs to working one job with competitive wages and benefits from day one as a ua l ocal 572 apprentice. [applause] seeing her smile and pride when she talks about how she found the lifechanging opportunity pipeline in the Building Trades reminds me why we do what we do. Take a person growing up in boston, he dropped out of college and tried best not to succumb to his environment. He eventually landed in trouble with the law. Working multiple jobs that were lowpaying, experienced racism working in the nonUnion Construction sector, making 13 an hour with jobs with no benefits and questionable Safety Standards. He had no hope he would ever make sustainable wages, much less full health and pension and annuity benefits. He thought not having a degree only meant he would be working for someone else who does. His luck changed when he met the head of the boston Building Trades at the time, our dear friend marty walsh. He joined the building pathways Apprenticeship Readiness Program. Im happy to report, 10 years later today, he is a proud local 550 licensed worker, sits as a business agent of the boston Building Trades in the very same office that marty invited him to tell him there was a place for him with us. [applause] mr. Mcgarvey like them and like me, many of you in this room may have also found that same opportunity and now we are paying it forward. When i look back and think about what was the foundational pull that changed my life, it was the people i encountered, the mentors in the Building Trades, the Business Managers and Council Leaders like you and marty walsh who empowered us to be the best and reminded us we have a stronger voice when we are together. And brothers and sisters, that is why im not surprised we are where we are today, changing lives at the table on every single issue facing this nation. The men and women who we represent are the fabric of america. We are setting up america for success, building the strongest and safest workforce, and data is on our side. Excuse me. [coughing] i promised my wife i quit smoking. By utilizing true workforce to the limit tools like plas and collective bargaining, we are building more robust and productive workforce is. The latest study shows Union Activity is 14 higher end labor costs are 4 lower than nonunion. Look at the membership growth across the internationals. Look at the attention we are getting from the oval office, state and local government, and Corporate Board rooms. Our foundation is taking hold. Helmets to hardhats is transitioning more active Duty Military Service members, veterans, National Guard and reservists than ever before. [applause] trades futures has taken off supporting over 225 Apprenticeship Readiness Programs in underserved communities, teaching the arp curriculum. Correctional facilities in six states for people paying the penalty and who want to change their life. 80 of our arp graduates are people of color and 20 are women. Trades futures is growing Strong Community partnerships like the multimillion Dollar Partnership with the National Urban league and the department of labor. These partnerships are helping to increase access to services and support systems like childcare pilots for our members and increasing our programs that recruit more women into the trades. We are doing all we can to make it easier for women and young parents, not to only come in and complete their training but to stay with us. The pepins number one priority is to make sure their children parents number one priority is to make sure their children are fed and safe. We are looking for solutions to make that happen. Nabtu is taking an all hands approach. Thanks to great organizations, we keep advancing health and safety and pension Retirement Security for our members. We are also prioritizing investment in workers Mental Health and safety. Some of you saw in the workshop yesterday, we have a new jobsite standard certification called respect. We are committed to creating a better work environment, fostering the brotherhood and sisterhood that binds us. Respectful work to raise the profile of the Construction Industry is a career pathway. Not just a financial choice but a better work life choice. Workplace harassment and toxic cultures marked by bullying and verbal abuse will be addressed head on. They have no place in our unions. Sanitation on job sites will be a priority, ensuring clean and well equipped facilities with amenities for all workers, both men and women. Safety and Mental Health will not be lipservice, it will be a commitment. We will address substance abuse, alcoholism, and provide programs to better recognize and support people, many people, our brothers and sisters who are struggling. Contractors and owners worked with us on physical safety over the last 30 years. We know they can work with us to make our jobsite just as healthy and safe for workers mentally as they are physically. [applause] brothers and sisters, the Building Trades is doing good things. We are changemakers. In these pivotal moments, among the 3 million members in our ranks, we must stand united as the infrastructure generation, or detect architects of the future. As we approach the upcoming election, it is on all of us to safeguard the progress we have made so far. I have been working in washington for over 25 years now. Ive have seen president s and members of congress both democrats and republicans come and go, who have long talked about how they would best in infrastructure, rebuild america, and bring manufacturing back. And nothing happened. Until this administration. Now everything has been delivered. [applause] now everything has been delivered at once by President Biden and Vice President harris and their administration. All of these wins for us are at stake in november. This is true. All of these wins will be rolled back if we dont get our members out to vote for four more years of the most proworker, proBuilding Trades, prounion, proamerican president of our lifetimes. [applause] [cheers and applause] mr. Mcgarvey brothers and sisters, together we have the power to shape a better tomorrow with the true fighter for americas working class in the white house. Together we can deliver the infrastructure generation with foundational opportunities generated by the Biden Administration and congress work. Talk about our programs we offer and the safe, fulfilling careers that come with it. Get the word out about what of about what is at stake in this 2024 election and how President Biden made only one ask of us, that we ensure women and men who have not had an opportunity for middleclass family sustaining careers are lifted up in the Building Trades. He delivered for us and lets the liver for him. Lets show the world nabtu brothers and sisters are the foundation for the future. Enjoy the conference and god bless. [cheers and applause] thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, our first guest speaker has been a friend of the trades for many years. He has long advocated for the use of project Labor Agreements and preached the benefits of middleclass family sustaining union jobs. From his decades spent in the house of representatives to his 24 years in the army National Guard, this next speaker is a proven outstanding leader. Now, as governor of the great state of minnesota, he continues his leadership, signing the largest infra structure bill in minnesotas history into law two repair fire stations, Water Treatment plants and so much more. All while offering good be in union jobs good