[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1010-E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF JIMMY WAYNE EASTERLING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB RILEY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jimmy Wayne 
Easterling, who has been named the Alabama Small Business Person of the 
Year for 1998 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He is among 53 
top small business persons--one from each state, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands and Guam--who are being honored by

[[Page E1011]]

the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C., from May 31 
to June 6.
  Born in Chilton County in 1941, Jimmy Easterling started Wayne 
Industries, Inc. in his garage with $500. Since then, he has turned his 
company into one of the largest employers in the county.
  Wayne Industries manufactures portable, modular and corporate signs 
for such companies as Whirlpool, DuPont, General Motors, Suzuki and 
Chester's Chicken. The company also manufacturers custom signs for mom-
pop businesses across the nation. Wayne Industries' customer base has 
spread from the Southeast to include the entire United States, Canada, 
England, Germany and Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, Jimmy Easterling's success story is a classic example of 
the American dream. Here is an individual, who had an idea and turned 
it into a reality.
  While Jimmy has been a major contributor to the economic prosperity 
of Chilton County, his service to his friends and community did not 
stop there. After graduating from Chilton County High School, Jimmy 
enlisted in the Alabama National Guard. Though he began his military 
career as a private, Jimmy retired thirty-five years later as a full 
colonel. During his tenure in the military, he was part of the elite 
Special Forces Green Berets, and received numerous awards and 
decorations for outstanding service and duty.
  Throughout it all, Mr. Speaker, Jimmy has remained a devoted husband 
and father. His commitment to his family, Wayne Industries and his 
surrounding community is an example to all of us. I would ask that my 
fellow colleagues join me today in recognizing this man, and 
congratulating him on this award, which he so justly deserves.

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