Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors–National Association (PHCC) has commenced a year-long celebration of the organization’s 125th anniversary. The celebration will bring recognition to the industry and educate the public on the contributions that the professional plumbing-heating-cooling contractor makes to the health, safety and comfort of society. The pinnacle of the celebration will take place April 28 – May 2, 2008, during PHCC’s Leadership and Legislative Conference ’08, when the organization will sponsor National Plumbing Industry Week. With the help of its state and local chapters, PHCC hopes to receive proclamations from the governors of many states as well as from Congress. It will also distribute PSA’s to the media and provide publicity templates and ideas to local chapters so they can publicize the week in their own local markets. In addition to hosting National Plumbing Industry Week, PHCC is also celebrating the 125th anniversary by creating a special anniversary logo and theme, producing a DVD highlighting the organization’s long history of protecting the health and safety of the public, and conducting a year-long media campaign to targeted consumer, business and trade publications. Newly installed PHCC President Jim Finley, owner of C.N. Finley, Inc. of New Orleans, La., strongly feels that PHCC members must get involved to make the 125th anniversary celebration a success. Addressing attendees at the recent PHCC convention in Anaheim, he said: “We as contractors must take ownership of our industry. Our national association’s efforts are impressive, but our state associations and local chapters also need to get out in the spotlight. Why not take on the workforce issue and meet with your local school district to implement the career cluster concept? Or head up a committee to meet with inspectors and discuss needed code changes? All of this will help advance the industry, and ultimately raise public awareness of the importance of hiring a professional p-h-c contractor.” The PHCC-National Association, formed in 1883, provides legislative advocacy, education and training to more than 4,000 plumbing and HVACR businesses and 79,500 technicians. Members of PHCC have access to a wide variety of services designed to increase their professionalism, grow their business and improve profitability. Go to www.phccweb.org for more information.