A Connecticut Congressman has publicly praised members of theSoutheast Connecticut chapter of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association(Falls Church, VA) for their volunteer efforts to reconstruct the Amistad ship.

Congressman Rob Simmons (R-2nd District), saluted the contractors and craftsmen who helped make the Amistad seaworthy, giving special mention to the Southeast Connecticut PHCC chapter's installation of plumbing and heating systems.

During the summer of 2000, more than 26 plumbing contractor volunteers from 14 Connecticut firms were involved in putting the finishing touches on the Amistad.