[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO LESTER C. PHILLIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great North 
Carolinian and son of Harnett County, Mr. Lester C. Phillips who 
recently received the Distinguished Service Award of the Occoneechee 
Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
  Lester Phillips was born on August 25, 1930 in Sampson County, North 
Carolina to Floyd and Erma Phillips and spent the majority of his early 
years working on the family farm. He married Winifred Naylor in 1950 
and together they raised two sons Ray and Robert. In 1959, Lester moved 
his young family just up the road to Harnett County, and the town of 
Dunn, to seek employment opportunities and a better life for his 
family.
  Upon his arrival in Dunn, Lester landed a job with the H.P. Johnson 
Oil Company, where he quickly became Mr. H.P. Johnson's most trusted 
employee. In fact, Mr. Johnson was often over heard saying that ``when 
he wanted something done right, he always looked to Leck.'' After 
several years of working for Mr. Johnson, Lester began his career in 
the trucking business, which would later lead to his ownership of a 
small gas station on Highway 301 South in Harnett County and later the 
development of a waste management enterprise. From these humble 
beginnings Lester built a nationally recognized business that served 
locations all the way from Florida to Alaska.
  Not only is Lester an outstanding success in the business world, but 
he is also a remarkable family man and community leader. He is also an 
active member at Spring Branch Baptist Church in Dunn.
  But today we are here to pay tribute to Lester's contributions to the 
young people of Harnett County and to celebrate his recent 
accomplishment, receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Boy 
Scouts of America. As the father of an Eagle Scout and a recipient of 
the Boys Scouts' Silver Beaver Award, I know first hand the importance 
that the organization plays in the lives of our nation's young people. 
With the help of men like Lester, the Boy Scouts mold young men to be 
active and productive citizens. I want to honor Lester today for 
helping to strengthen our nation's social fabric.
  Mr. Speaker, Lester Phillips is a remarkable example of a citizen 
servant. He selflessly uses his time and energy to better the lives of 
the young men in Harnett County. He touches so many lives in so many 
public ways, but Lester's most important contributions to others are 
the ones only he knows about. And that is the way he wants it to be. 
That is a true testament to his unique and special character and the 
reason we honor him in this House today.

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