[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 97 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             TRIBUTE TO WISCONSIN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 22, 1994

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise two of the most 
successful and dynamic businessmen I know on the 25th anniversary of a 
remarkable partnership.
  It is only fitting that Wally Hilliard and Ron Weyers were recently 
honored as Wisconsin Entrepreneurs of the Year.
  Wally and Ron, as they are known by all of their employees at 
American Medical Security, first met as rival insurance agents over 25 
years ago. However, they recognized immediately that they shared the 
same vision of what it takes to make a successful business--
originality, hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks.
  They launched Wisconsin Employers Group in 1970 from the kitchen of 
Wally's house. In 1988, after selling their company, the 
entrepreneurial spirit still burned bright.
  So Wally and Ron founded their second health insurance company, 
American Medical Security, and now serve as its president and vice 
president, respectively.
  American Medical Security is a remarkable success story, growing 
almost 5,000 percent in the last 5 years.
  In fact, AMS is the fastest growing employee benefits company in the 
world. Inc. magazine, one of the national sponsors of the Entrepreneur 
of the Year Award, has listed American Medical Security as the 21st 
fastest growing company in the U.S.
  AMS has also been recognized for its accomplishments by the Wall 
Street Journal, Forbes magazine, the Washington Post, and National 
Public Radio.
  Wally and Ron, through American Medical Security and their former 
companies, have created over 5,000 jobs in the Fox Valley economy. 
Their insurance policies are sold in 28 States and benefit nearly 1 
million people.
  The responsibility they feel toward their community is, in my view, 
their greatest achievement. Ron and Wally have never faltered from 
their commitment to the people of Green Bay, the people of the State of 
Wisconsin, and the health insurance industry of America.
  I congratulate both of them on the 25th anniversary of their 
partnership and on being named Entrepreneurs of the Year. But more 
importantly, I salute them for embodying those personal 
characteristics, namely, hard work, diligence, honesty, and vision, 
which have made this country great.

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