[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E694-E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING ST. MARY'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the St. Mary's 
County Chamber of Commerce on their twenty-fifth anniversary.
  Their initial meeting was held in April, 1974 by combining the 
Leonardtown and Lexington Park Chambers. A board of directors was 
installed and George Sparling was elected president. Eddie Bailey, 
Rubye Beaman, Eddie Burroughs, Robert Dudley, Bert Fenwick, Jack 
Fletcher, Joe M. Gough, Stewart Hobbs, Jim Kenney, Richard Lubbers, 
Charles Mason, Bill Raley, Buzzy Ridgell, Mary Salisbury, Les Shaw, 
Harry Lee Smith,

[[Page E695]]

Leroy Thompson, Jr., Elliot Weisman, and Rocky Willis served as the 
board of directors.
  The chamber had 150 charter members. Office space was two rooms on 
the second floor of the First National Bank of St. Mary's in 
Leonardtown, courtesy of Joe M. Gough. They occupied those offices 
until 1988 when the chamber moved to Mechanicsville. Not only has the 
chamber grown in membership with 400 members today, but also in service 
to the community, with members serving on a number of county and state 
boards and local committees.
  Over the years, the chamber has supported county events such as the 
Oyster Festival and Maryland Day. The Trade Fair was started in 1983 to 
give local businesses the chance to show their wares and to promote 
county businesses. As a result of a good working relationship with 
county government, state government and the Southern Maryland 
Congressional delegation, major accomplishments of direct and indirect 
services to the business community have been achieved. The chamber 
lobbied for five years to have the commercial inventory tax reduced, 
which affected 80% of the county's wholesale and retail businesses.
  In 1976, the chamber operated the tourist information center at 
Charlotte Hall. In 1980, the Tourist Information Center found its 
permanent home at the chamber office in Mechanicsville. Over the years 
the chamber has evolved into a vital entity of St. Mary's County. 
Despite its growth, one thing has not changed; the original core values 
to promote local business and empower local citizens.
  Mr Speaker, I ask you and the remainder of my colleagues to join with 
me in applauding the service and sacrifice of the St. Mary's County 
Chamber of Commerce.

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