[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO TRI-COUNTY CO-OP WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 2004

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of 
South Carolina workers who are dedicated to serving all of their 
customers, even in times of crisis. The 67 employees of Tri-County 
Electric Cooperative serve 17,000 customers in six counties in rural 
South Carolina, most of which are in the Sixth Congressional District 
which I am proud to serve in this body. These committed workers were 
the true heroes of a crushing ice storm that devastated a number of 
rural areas in January of this year.
  The worst ice storm to hit South Carolina in three decades swept 
through the Midlands area January 26-30, causing enough destruction for 
the President to declare 17 counties a major disaster area. At the 
heart of this devastation were an estimated 15,000 Tri-County Co-op 
customers, who lost power in the midst of freezing temperatures and 
impassible roads. Within a few days the co-op, under the leadership of 
Robert G. Wannamaker, had mobilized a massive team effort to repair 250 
broken poles and 200 cross arms restoring power to all but ten houses 
in their service area. They diligently worked in those remote areas to 
have full service restored to all their customers within a week.
  This achievement of the Tri-County Co-op employees is indicative of 
their willingness to go beyond the call of duty to provide and maintain 
a better quality of life for rural communities in South Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues to join me in thanking 
the brave and dedicated employees of Tri-County Co-op who jeopardized 
their own safety to insure their customers made it safely through the 
terrors of this year's winter storm. Their perseverance and dedication 
are greatly appreciated.

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