[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   WILLIAM DEARY, SBA 2003 MICHIGAN SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of William 
Deary the United States Small Business Administration 2003 Michigan 
Small Business Person of the Year.
  In 1994 William Deary and his wife Cheri Lyn returned to her hometown 
of Jackson, MI and founded Great Lakes Home Health Services. Since that 
time the business has not only survived adverse conditions that saw 
almost a third of home health care companies close their doors, they 
have thrived. His commitment to his employees and the community was 
reflected by his decision to cut costs, but not lay off a single 
employee.
  Today they have expanded the business now known as Great Lakes Home 
Health and Hospice, and are recognized nationally for their excellence 
in the field. In a national study conducted by Fazzi Associates Great 
Lakes Home Health ranked #1 in the country among agencies of similar 
size.
  Mr. Deary is a leader in the Jackson community actively involved in 
assisting various organizations from the grass roots level to serving 
on the board of directors. He and his wife Cheri Lyn are the primary 
benefactors to the St. John Parish Educational Scholarship Program 
where they are parishioners. He serves as a member of the Board of 
Directors of this program that allows children from families who cannot 
afford the expense, but feel their children would benifit from a 
parochial school education to do so.
  William is also Chairman of the Board and a member of the Executive 
Committee of the Jackson Downtown Development Authority. In addition he 
is active and has served in various capacities on the boards of the 
United Way of Jackson, Disability Connection, Child Benefit Program, 
Junior Achievement and helped to raise funds for the Ella Sharp Museum 
in Jackson. He was honored in 1998 to serve as one of the Congressional 
appointees for the state of Michigan at the inaugural Small Business 
Summit and has a been on the National Board of Directors of the Home 
Care Association of America.
  William Deary is truly deserving of his recognition as 2003 Michigan 
Small Business Person of the Year. He has met and exceeded all the 
criteria of: Staying power; Growth in employees; Increase in sales; 
Improved financial position; Innovativeness; Response to adversity; and 
Contributions to aid community-oriented projects. He has made the 
Jackson community a better place to live by his commitment to 
excellence in the services he provides and in his willingness to give 
something back to the community.

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