[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WELDON RECOGNIZES ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR QVC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 1997

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the 
attention of my colleagues to a major company in southeastern 
Pennsylvania as it approaches an important milestone in its history--
QVC, Inc.
  In the 1890's, the Sears Roebuck & Co. produced our Nation's first 
mail order catalog, revolutionizing the lives of millions of Americans 
by allowing them to shop from home through mail. Nearly 100 years 
later, QVC has established itself as a pioneer in the home shopping 
industry, providing consumers with the luxury of shopping from the 
comfort of their own living room.
  Thanks to QVC, customers nationwide have the luxury of shopping at 
home for items that range from fashion and jewelry to home furnishings 
and electronics. Not only can individuals make purchases while watching 
products demonstrated live on television, but now consumers can make 
purchases through QVC's interactive shopping over the Internet.
  Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segal, QVC quickly established a national 
name for itself, racking up $112 million in revenue in its first full 
fiscal year of sales, a new American business history record. In just 7 
years, QVC became the No. 1 U.S. electronic retailer.
  On Wednesday, September 24, QVC will reach yet another milestone, as 
it celebrates the grand opening gala of its new state-of-the-art 
broadcast facility, Studio Park. Located in West Chester, PA, Studio 
Park will usher in the next century for QVC, allowing it to continue to 
both expand and improve the quality service that it provides the 
American public.
  And QVC is indeed expanding. In fact, QVC's customers continue to 
grow by over 100,000 individuals per month. And where QVC shipped more 
than 51 million products to customers throughout the country in 1996, 
the company expects that number to increase to 63 million by the end of 
this year. That's two packages of every second of every day for an 
entire year.
  And QVC's expansion has had a profound impact upon the region's local 
economy. First established in West Chester, PA, QVC has remained true 
to its founder's roots. As the studio expanded from 20 people when it 
first opened in 1986, to 197 employees 11 weeks later, to roughly 7,000 
employees 11 years later, it has been the residents of the Delaware 
Valley who have felt the benefits of increased employment.
  The expansion and success of QVC, I am sure my colleagues in the 
House will agree, is simply amazing. Through close interaction between 
the management and the work force, QVC has established itself as a 
nationally respected company. I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
applauding QVC for its past accomplishments, while wishing the company 
and its employees continued success in the years to come.

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