[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARY ELLEN SHEETS OF LANSING, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Mary Ellen Sheets of Lansing, Michigan, who recently 
was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the International Franchise 
Association.
  Mary Ellen Sheets, founder/CEO of Two Men And A Truck, is the first 
businesswoman to be honored with this prestigious award which has an 
illustrious honor roll of recipients, including Tom Monaghan, founder 
of Domino's Pizza Inc., and J. Willard Marriott of the Marriott Corp., 
as well as leaders in other franchise organizations such as Subway, 
Jiffy Lube International, Pizza Hut Inc., and Holiday Inn Inc.
  Mary Ellen's teenaged sons started a moving business with a pickup 
truck in the early 1980s. After the boys left for college, customers 
kept calling so in 1985, this creative mother paid $350 for an old 
moving truck and officially opened Two Men And a Truck.
  When she first sketched the now-famous company logo, a simple graphic 
of two stick men in a truck cab to catch readers' attention, Mary Ellen 
never guessed it would lead to such phenomenal entrepreneurial success. 
From that simple beginning, her business was catapulted into a vibrant, 
growing franchised company with 152 locations in 26 states.
  While becoming a successful entrepreneur, Mary Ellen Sheets never 
forgets about her community. This very successful businesswoman also 
makes time to serve on the boards of Lansing Community College, 
Michigan Freedom Foundation, Michigan Law Abuse Watch, and Edward 
Sparrow Hospital. She chaired the 2004 United Way Campaign in Lansing, 
and has been recognized numerous times, including as one of Michigan's 
Top 25 Women Business Owners, and Lansing Business Person of the Year.
  Mary Ellen Sheets epitomizes the American dream. She rose from a 
small beginning to become a very successful businessperson who believes 
in giving back to her community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this very 
special woman and community leader, who is truly deserving of our 
respect and admiration.

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