[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE DUDLEY

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                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 1997

  Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a happy 
60th birthday tomorrow to a great entrepreneur and humanitarian, Mr. 
Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. Joe was born the fifth of seven children on May 
9, 1937 to Gilmer L. and Clara Yeates Dudley in Aurora, NC. In his 60 
years, Joe overcame many obstacles to become the president and CEO of 
Dudley Products, Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers and 
distributors of ethnic hair care products, and to serve as a role model 
for all youth wanting to succeed in their own business.
  As a child, Joe suffered from a speech impediment and was labeled 
mentally retarded, but through hard work and his mother's strong 
encouragement, he surpassed everyone's expectations. It was at North 
Carolina A & T University that Joe got his start in the beauty 
industry. He invested $10 in a Fuller products sales kit and made his 
way through college. During his summer vacation in 1960, he worked for 
Fuller in Brooklyn, NY where he met his wife, Eunice, who was also 
working her way through college. Upon graduation, they moved to New 
York where they worked for 5 years.
  In 1967, Joe and Eunice Dudley returned to North Carolina, and 2 
years later, they opened their own business with beauty products they 
made in the family kitchen. Today, Dudley Products has grown to be one 
of the most successful businesses of its kind--making Joe Dudley a 
millionaire by the age of 40. He employs 475 people and markets his 
products in 40 States. Joe and Eunice also founded the Dudley 
Cosmetology University in Kernersville, NC. It currently operates 16 
beauty schools including one here in Washington, DC.
  But, I am not here today to wish Joe Dudley a happy birthday just 
because he is a successful businessman. He has also dedicated himself 
to sharing his success with the community. He chaired the Direct 
Selling Association's Inner City Program which is designed to help 
inner city youths combat joblessness and also serves on the board of 
trustees of his alma mater North Carolina A & T University. He and his 
wife have been honored by the city of Kernersville, NC, as the First 
Citizens of the Year, and President Bush honored them with the 467th 
Point of Light for establishing the Dudley Fellows Program which, along 
with the Dudley Ladies Program, provides mentors to high school 
students. In addition, Joe's company awards 32 full scholarships 
annually to N.C. A & T University and Bennett College in Greensboro, 
NC. Joe, however, does not limit his giving nature to just North 
Carolina. In 1992, Dudley Products established the Resurrection to 
Beauty Fund to help cosmetologists rebuild businesses destroyed in the 
Los Angeles riot.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, it is easy to see why Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. 
deserves this special happy birthday wish on his 60th birthday. He has 
used his success to help others achieve the American dream who may not 
otherwise be able to make it. Through their support of educational 
programs, he and his wife continue to dedicate themselves to insuring 
that future generations have the knowledge and skills necessary to 
achieve great things for our community and our country. So, Joe Dudley, 
for your selflessness and dedication, we wish you a happy 60th 
birthday.

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