WASHINGTON, DC - To recognize the more than 115,000 hardworking men and women who maintain America’s electrical infrastructure, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), along with Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate April 18, 2026, as National Lineman Appreciation Day.
The resolution commends the remarkable contributions of linemen to the approximately 155 million electricity customers across the United States. Cosponsored by fifty-seven Members of Congress, the resolution underscores the essential role linemen play in maintaining a safe and reliable power supply – especially in the wake of natural disasters. Since the first transmission line was constructed in 1889, linemen have worked tirelessly to keep the lights on across America.
“Our nation’s linemen step up without hesitation, often operating in dangerous conditions to restore power and help communities recover from natural disasters,” said Congressman Rouzer. “These dedicated men and women work tirelessly to keep the power on and their service deserves our gratitude and deepest respect. What would we do without them?!”
“Across the country, linemen play a crucial role in driving economic growth and ensuring that the lights stay on,” said Congressman Flood. “I am glad to support this resolution recognizing their hard work, as linemen often operate high above the ground, through severe weather, and in other extreme conditions to maintain infrastructure critical for our communities. Thank you to Reps. Rouzer, Ross, and Gluesenkamp Perez for leading this effort and recognizing their tireless work.”
“Rain or shine, dedicated lineworkers make sure North Carolinians have power all year round,” said Congresswoman Ross. “During natural disasters and record storms, lineworkers have been among the first people on the ground, getting electricity back up and running. Their commitment is what keeps the lights on across our communities and helps us stay connected. I’m proud to join this bipartisan resolution to express our appreciation for the tough and often thankless work that linemen do every day.”
“When things go right, no one thinks to thank linemen – and when things get rough, most think it’s magic – it’s our skilled, tough linemen we owe our gratitude. Their work is core to keeping our public power system reliable and affordable in Southwest Washington,” said Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez. “Linemen work around the clock in tough weather with backbreaking aerobics and masterful skill – and I’m so proud of their work and to fight on their team.”
“Behind every flipped switch is a lineworker who shows up in the heat, cold, and in the wake of storms to get the job done safely,” said ElectriCities of North Carolina CEO Roy Jones. “The work is demanding and often dangerous, and it requires a high level of skill, focus, and commitment. Lineworkers take pride in serving their communities and ElectriCities—and public power—is proud to support this resolution recognizing the important work lineworkers do every day.”
“We’re grateful to Congressman Rouzer for recognizing the critical work lineworkers do. Customers trust us to deliver safe, reliable power every day – and to bring it back quickly after storms and other outages,” said Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy. “That’s why the work of our lineworkers matters: they strengthen the system through daily maintenance and upgrades, and they respond in our communities when it matters most. Their skill and safety-first mindset help us provide the dependable service our communities expect today while building a stronger grid for the future.”
“The lineman profession is a large organization, but it operates like a small family,” said Karen Bosch, Managing Director for National Association of Journeymen Linemen and Bill Bosch, Northwest Lineman College (Founders of National Lineman's Appreciation Day). “Linemen put others before themselves every day, and they are some of the most dedicated and remarkable people I know.”
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
