[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         EDWARD P. WASHABAUGH: ENTREPRENEUR, LEADER, ROLE MODEL

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 24, 1994

  Mr. BARCIA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a great deal of joy 
today to tell you the story of the most productive life of a man for 
whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration, Mr. Edward P. 
Washabaugh of Bay City, MI. I also rise with a great deal of sadness to 
tell you that this man who has meant so much to so many in my home 
community has left us for his eternal rewards.
  Growing up in Bay City, I could see the work of a very proud and 
capable gentleman every day. Others of us have seen similar examples of 
excellence in other parts of the country. Many of us admire the 
University of Notre Dame football stadium, state-of-the-art auto 
production facilities like the Packard Motor Car Plant of Detroit and 
the Grey Iron Foundry in Saginaw, and Veterans' Administration 
hospitals in Indianapolis and Des Moines. Edward Washabaugh was 
privileged to work on each of these projects after he graduated as an 
engineer from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now better known as 
the Carnegie-Mellon Institute. His experience and capabilities earned 
him the post of the director of the Works Progress Administration from 
1933 to 1941 in Bay City, before continuing in public service as a 
captain in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.
  Edward Washabaugh demonstrated his entrepreneurial skills when he 
started Northern Concrete Pipe, where he revolutionized the precast 
concrete pipe industry by inventing ways to have pipes pass through 
others in order to develop an effective and safe sewer system that was 
duplicated throughout the world. He ran Northern Concrete Pipe as both 
a world class engineer and a most astute businessman until his 
retirement 2 years ago as a very productive 84-year-old role model for 
others who would do well to duplicate his formula and work effort for 
success and excellence. Even at this age he still set an example for 
younger workers by putting on his hard hat and going to work on the 
plant floor.
  And even with all of the demands of an innovative and thriving 
business, Mr. Washabaugh still had time for outstanding involvement 
with his church, the St. Maria Goretti Church, the Knights of Columbus, 
and American Legion Post No. 18.
  I am sure that all of our colleagues will want to join me in 
extending our very sincere condolences to Beatrice, his wife for over 
60 years, his son William, his 12 grandchildren, and 15 great 
grandchildren. Edward Washabaugh had a most successful and productive 
life. He leaves us with outstanding work and an example for others. He 
leaves his family with an outstanding heritage. We should all be so 
fortunate.

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