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On May 5, James Wendt, of Albert Lea, was honored by the Laborers’ International Union of North America, and by Laborers’ Local 68. Jim, as of Feb. 20, has been a member of the Local 68 for 50 years. Jim first became a member of Local 68 in 1959. He drove trucks for many different union contractors. In 1961, he was elected secretary treasurer of Local 68. He retired in 1991, but he has stayed on as a retired member. Pictured above is Jim (center) receiving gifts and certificates from Mitch Treptow, president of Local 68 (right), and LaMar Johnson, business manager of Local 68. Jim received a 50-year Gold Card from the union, along with a letter of congratulations.