Industry receives nationwide government recognition for SteelDay

CHICAGO — In recognition of SteelDay, eight government proclamations were signed acknowledging the critical role of structural steel in the country’s infrastructure, economy, and employment. In addition, numerous state and local dignitaries attended several of the more than 200 SteelDay events across the country on Sept. 24, hosted by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), its members, and other affiliated organizations.

SteelDay proclamations were signed by Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois; Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia; Governor Mark Parkinson of Kansas; Governor James H. Douglas of Vermont; Mayor of Houston Annise Parker; Mayor of Boston Thomas M. Menino; Mayor of McAllen, Texas, Richard F. Cortez; and Vice Mayor of Salina, Kan., Samantha Angell. They recognized the structural steel industry’s significant commitment to sustainable construction and structural steel’s contributions as a safe, strong, and effective building material.

Governor James H. Douglas declared: "The structural steel industry provides employment for more than 185,000 workers in the United States," and "98 percent of the structural steel in a building is recycled at the end of the building’s life."

Added Governor Pat Quinn: "The structural steel industry in Illinois annually provides structural steel framing systems for more than 35 million square feet of new building construction in Illinois," and "structural steel products are made from 93 percent recycled materials from old cars, appliances, stoves, manufacturing waste, curb-side recycling and deconstructed buildings."

Government officials and representatives attended SteelDay events throughout the country including:

•Senator Bruce Tar of Massachusetts visited Capone Iron in Rowley, Mass.
•Connecticut State Senator Gary LeBeau, and Mayor Melody A. Currey of East Hartford, Conn., attended United Steel in East Hartford, Conn.
•New York City Comptroller John Lui and five New York City Council members: Peter Koo, Jimmy Van Bremer, Leroy Comrie, James Sanders Jr., and Daniel Dromm, attended Ironworkers Locals in Astoria, N.Y.
•Governor Joe Manchin Ill of W.Va. attended Huntington Steel, Huntington, W.Va.
•Governor James H. Douglas of Vermont and Lt. Governor Brian Dubie attended Reliance Steel in Colchester, Vt.
•Donna M. Barry, regional director for Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, attended Paxton & Vierling Steel in Omaha, Neb.
•Ryan Broker, field representative for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, visited Topping Out Inc., Omaha, Neb.
•Karen Mancuso, field representative for Congressman Chris Van Hollan of Maryland, visited Standard Supplies, Gaithersburg, Md., and presented a citation to the company about its participation in SteelDay and its six decades of excellent service to the community and industry.
•Mayor Aaron Peck of Salina, Kan., attended PKM Steel, Salina, Kan.
•Mayor Patrick D. Rushing of Airway Heights, Wash., attended Metals Fabrication Company, Airway Heights, Wash.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio, Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, Calif., sent official letters of congratulations to SteelDay host facilities in their respective states. Governor Jan Brewer stated in her letter to Able Steel Fabricators Inc.: "You are commended for your relentless drive to pursue renewable energy, energy efficient technologies, and operating efficiencies in the structural steel products used for commercial, industrial, and the many infrastructure projects throughout our Great State of Arizona."

Chris Moor, AISC director of industry initiatives added: "We’re honored to have received this kind of national recognition for SteelDay and appreciate the time that everyone took to come out and learn about how our industry contributes to building the economy.”

More than 8,000 architects, engineers, university faculty and students, government officials, and the general public visited steel mills, fabricators, service centers, galvanizers, and other steel facilities on SteelDay. They had the chance to network, learn about careers available in engineering and construction, and witness advanced technologies in action.

"It was a great opportunity for designers and others to see first-hand how the structural steel industry is building high-performance and sustainable projects," said Roger E. Ferch, P.E., AISC’s president.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s SteelDay nearly doubled its number of in-person attendees (not including live webinar attendance) and added dozens of event locations.

SteelDay 2010 photos, videos, and more information can be found at www.steelday.org.

Next year’s SteelDay is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2011.