[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E607-E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO CHARLES-RUSSELL'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, on April 28, 1996, Charles-Russell 
International will gather its 150 employees, well wishers and followers 
to celebrate 25 years of creative hairstyling and entrepreneurship. The 
vision toward new trends in hair styling and hair care can be credited 
to a man arriving on the American scene some three decades ago.
  Born in Leicester, England in May 1938, Edward Joseph Russell 
Breakwell earned his stylist stripes in the hairdressing industry as an 
apprentice to Steiner's of Mayfair, in London. At 21 years of age he 
owned his first salon and traveled as a guest lecturer to the United 
States. Impressed by the country, he moved to the Washington, D.C. area 
and worked for the Vincent and Vincent chain of salon, eventually 
acquiring one of them. Later, he entered into a joint venture with 
another businessman, Charles Morra, and together they established the 
first Charles-Russell salon on Quaker Lane in Alexandria, VA.
  Today, the Charles-Russell enterprise consists of 12 salons 
throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The joint venture 
between Charles and Russell has contributed greatly to the economic 
development of the community, including restaurant ownership and a 
major construction company, C-R Properties.
  There is much discussion nowadays about immigrants coming to the 
United States and the myth that they take from our society and our 
social safety net. to the contrary, the hard work and contributions of 
Charles-Russell, has added to the wealth of this country and has 
translated into careers and the well-being of many families. Russell 
Breakwell epitomizes this vision and contribution to our society.
  Russell Breakwell today, is an American citizen who participates not 
only in the business arena, but in the civic affairs of his community 
in Lake Bancroft, VA. He is married to the former Laurie Jones, who 
along with their 5-year-old child, Charles, reside in Lake Barcroft and 
the Florida Keys. A source of much pride and father-son kinship 22-year 
old Alexander Breakwell is following in this father's footsteps as a 
hairdresser at Charles-Russell.

[[Page E608]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues here assembled join me in 
saluting Charles-Russell International for its spirit and vitality as a 
progressive employer. It is fitting that on its 25 anniverary Charles-
Russell plans to announce an innovative salary and employee health 
benefit plan. The company is to be praised for rewarding and motivating 
hard work and loyalty among its many employees.

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