The Amistad was constructed in honor of the African slaves. In 1839, these slaves fought for and won their freedom after traveling to Cuba on the original ship. The more than $3 million replica ship now sails the nation’s waterways as an “educational ambassador,” bringing lessons of history, cooperation, and leadership to Americans of all ages, interests, and cultural backgrounds. Its home base is New Haven, CT.

Simmons commended the volunteer efforts of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Southeast Connecticut chapter, stating that the members donated more than $100,000 of time and resources to install the plumbing, heating, and cooling systems as the ship was built at Mystic Seaport, CT. Simmons spoke during a period in the evening referred to as “Special Orders.”

“Under the leadership of [chapter president] Walter Woycik, more than 20 volunteers from 11 Connecticut firms made sure that all the heating, cooling, and plumbing equipment was installed and up to the stringent Coast Guard standards,” Simmons said. “This, in turn, assured that the Amistad can be put to sea as a living, working, sailing classroom to teach this important story of our people’s struggle for freedom.”

Woycik was on hand to hear the Congressman’s remarks.

For more information about the Amistad project, visit www.amistadamerica.org (website).

Publication date: 09/10/2001