[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         TRIBUTE TO J.T. WHITE

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 1994

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, often it is said that small business is the 
backbone of our great Nation. I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to an outstanding entrepreneur, the late J.T. White, and 
those who have carried on his dream. Over 30 years ago, J.T. White 
founded White Shopping Service in St. Louis. Today, his son, Henry 
White and wife, Hazel White, carry on the family business. I commend 
the White family for their contributions to the St. Louis community. 
The following article recently appeared in the Black History Month 
series of the St. Louis Small Business Monthly.

         [From the St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Feb. 1994]

 Henry White Keeps His Father's Dream Alive as Owner of White Shopping 
                                Service

       As a child, Henry White helped his father live the American 
     dream. White would spend his free time working in his 
     father's uniform shop, White Shopping Service Inc., a shop 
     his father started from scratch.
       ``I used to get on my bike and deliver uniforms to our 
     customers,'' White said.
       Today, White, now in his 40s, still makes deliveries--only 
     now as company vice president. Just like his father, White is 
     living the American dream as an entrepreneur.
       After the death of his father, J.T. White, seven years ago, 
     White stepped in to carry on his father's dream. With the 
     help of his mother, Hazel White, president of the company, 
     the family business continues to serve customers throughout 
     the St. Louis area.
       ``My dad worked too hard to let someone else come in and 
     take the business over,'' White said. ``I knew this was his 
     dream. I knew he didn't want to give it up.''
       The dream began over 30 years ago. As a tailor, J.T. White 
     saw an opportunity to sell uniforms to local schools. At the 
     time, no other clothing stores specialized in such uniforms. 
     Thus, the business was born.
       The business was run out of the White home from 1960-1965 
     and out of its current Natural Bridge location since 1965.
       Taking over the family business was a tough decision for 
     White. First, he had to come to grips with giving up his 
     nine-year corporate job.
       ``When I took over the business, it was a little scary at 
     first,'' White said. ``My father was always the backbone of 
     everything here.''
       Thanks to years of advice and guidance from his father, 
     White was able to make the adjustment. Throughout his youth, 
     White's father would always take the time to teach his son 
     the facets of business, from merchandising to selling.
       Said White, ``Before he died, he would always say, `When 
     I'm not here, you know what to do. Just go ahead and do 
     it.'''
       What White has done in seven years is enhance his father's 
     dream of being the best.
       White Shopping Service Inc. offers every uniform 
     imaginable. The company specializes in such uniforms as 
     postal, nursing and security, just to name a few. The shop 
     also carries uniform accessories--gloves, jackets, hats, etc.
       The business foundation taught to him by his father helped 
     White succeed. Customers trust a business that has been 
     around for more than 30 years.
       So what is the company's secret of longevity and success?
       ``The secret of success is plain, simple and easy,'' White 
     said.
       ``It's about never giving up.
       ``A lot of people, when they get discouraged or lose a 
     little money, want to get out. I will never give up. My dad 
     worked too hard for this business.''
       White has no regrets about carrying on his father's dream. 
     Out of five children, only White decided to carry on with the 
     family business.
       ``I guess I was the chosen one,'' he said. ``I see this as 
     a big challenge--a challenge to make as much money working 
     for myself as I would working for someone else.
       ``I know my dad's dream is fulfilled. He wanted someone in 
     the family to carry it on. I think he would be satisfied.''

                          ____________________