[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO JOHN H. WATSON, INDUCTEE TO ALABAMA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to shine the spotlight on an 
exemplary Alabamian and resident of the Second Congressional District, 
Mr. John H. Watson of Dothan, who is being inducted into the Alabama 
Business Hall of Fame October 7th.
  John Watson is well known in the Wiregrass of Southeast Alabama where 
his name is synonymous with hard work and business success. His life 
reads like a classic American success story. He started early his 
tradition of entrepreneurship by delivering ice and performing 
carpentry while still in grade school in the 1950's.
  John was the first person in his family to attend college. He turned 
down a scholarship at the University of Alabama in order to avail 
himself of the superior engineering program at rival Auburn University. 
He graduated in 1960 with a degree in engineering, putting it to work 
almost immediately for Uncle Sam as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers. He proudly served as a second lieutenant in 1961 and 1962 
during the Berlin Crisis.
  John returned to Dothan and civilian life with his wife, Gail, to set 
up their home. John quickly made a name for himself as self-starter by 
joining the staff of Smith's Incorporated of Dothan--the largest 
mechanical contracting firm in the area. As an engineer, John did what 
he always did by putting 200 percent into his work. Within four years, 
he became president of the company at the age of 28. Soon after, he and 
two fellow employees bought the company.
  This success would crown many people's business careers, but not 
John's. He was just getting started. First, he continued to build and 
expand Smith's, Inc. to weather future market trends. He then labored 
to help build a number of other substantial firms including Engineered 
Systems, Inc., Higgins Electric, Inc., Aladan, Inc., USA Yeast, Inc., 
South Alabama Brick Company; Southeastern Commercial Financial, LLC, 
and Twitchell, Inc. He also serves on the board of directors of 
Regional Financial Corporation.
  John's ability to lead is not limited to the business area as he was 
called to serve as a past member and Chairman of the Alabama Ethics 
Commission in addition to his many Southeast Alabama volunteer efforts.
  I congratulate John in his induction and wish him the very best as he 
continues to create jobs, serve our community, and inspire future 
business leaders.

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