SACRAMENTO - Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Eureka, this week honored Eureka welder Ralph Nelson for attaining the status of journeyman steamfitter, the first local tradesman to earn that title since 1988.

“Ralph Nelson has shown a level of commitment and determination that would make anyone proud,” said Assemblywoman Berg, who presented Nelson with a Certificate of Recognition from the state Assembly on Tuesday. “This is a big day for Mr. Nelson.”

“Yes, it is,” said Nelson, who has lived in Eureka since 1980.

Nelson, 52, whose adult son is serving in Iraq, finished his apprenticeship training courses two years ago. But it took until this month for him to complete the 8,000 hours of post-training work to achieve his journeyman status – a task made difficult by the relatively small number of industrial jobs available on the North Coast.

“We used to have quite a bit of industry here, but not anymore,” said Sid Berg, area business representative for United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290, who is not related to the Assemblywoman. “Now it’s hard to get enough work to get the hours. Most guys quit and leave the area.”

But Nelson stayed, spending more than seven years to achieve his goal.

“I had obligations here,” Nelson said, “like family.”

He raised two children in Eureka, a daughter who has since moved to Canada, and a son who is serving as a Marine in Iraq.