[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MR. JAMES ADGATE HONORED AS OHIO'S OUTSTANDING OLDER WORKER

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                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate James R. 
``Dick'' Adgate of Warren, Ohio for receiving Ohio's Outstanding Older 
Worker Award.
  Mr. Adgate was born in 1921. He started working in the 1930's during 
the Depression at his father's greenhouse where he grew cut flowers and 
sold them to retail florists in the city. He liked the business but 
wanted to be on the retail side, so his father built a small shop, Elm 
Road Florist, in front of the greenhouse. From these beginnings, Mr. 
Adgate's business grew until he owned and operated, with the help of 
his wife Betty, a chain of stores throughout the area. He retired in 
the early 1990's. Soon after he retired, increased competition and 
changes in the client base made it difficult for the floral shop to 
compete. Mr. Adgate came out of retirement and took over the business 
again, working to make it more efficient. He continues to look for new 
ways to stay competitive.
  Mr. Adgate is a veteran of the Coast Guard as well as a member of the 
Rotary Club, Old Erie Lodge No. 3F and Howland Community Church where 
he serves as trustee. He also volunteers for Mobile Meals, plays tennis 
every week, swims and square dances.
  Mr. Adgate was honored by the Prime Time Awards Program, a year-long 
initiative to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of working 
seniors. The program's goal is to break down the barriers to hiring, 
training and retaining older workers. Nominations for Outstanding Older 
Worker are received from across the country and a panel of volunteers 
in each state selects the most distinguished honoree.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I wish to extend my congratulations to Mr. 
Adgate. I believe that he is an inspiration for all of us and it is 
with great pride that I honor him for being named Ohio's Outstanding 
Older Worker.

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