[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PRAISE FOR SOLVAY ADVANCED POLYMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise a company located 
in my Congressional district. Solvay Advanced Polymers is a company in 
Washington County, Ohio that is on the cutting edge. But despite its 
success, Solvay hasn't lost its connection and commitment to our 
southeastern Ohio communities. Just a few months ago, we had a very big 
reminder of Solvay's commitment to the community of Marietta, Ohio.
  As many in this House know, in January most of the state of Ohio was 
hit by a brutal snowstorm and torrential rain. In Washington County, 
the storm produced 40-year high flooding levels for the second time in 
five months. As you can imagine, the resources of community groups were 
already stretched thin from the previous flood. The Washington Morgan 
Community Action Agency was faced with the dual challenge of taking 
care of its own flood damage while helping its low-income clients 
through their devastating flood losses.
  It was in this trying time that Solvay stepped in and offered 
assistance and support that went well beyond what anyone could expect. 
The employees and management of the local Solvay plant put their own 
personal needs aside to serve the neediest in their community at a time 
when many of them were likely suffering from the flood themselves.
  As the board of the Washington-Morgan Community Action Agency said to 
the company in a recent letter:
  ``Solvay Advanced Polymers was one of the first businesses to respond 
to our request for flood relief supplies. Going beyond that you offered 
both people and transportation to help deliver the supplies we 
received. For two days your maintenance department employees took 
supplies throughout the area going door to door and business to 
business delivering cleaning supplies and water. Without you, getting 
needed items to the community would have taken much more time, slowing 
down the recovery period.
  In January our health clinic was inundated by flood water for the 
second time in four months. Solvay Advanced Polymers volunteered to 
provide the needed construction supplies and labor to restore the dry 
wall and carpeting to better than the original condition. Without your 
assistance we would have been much delayed in returning the building to 
a condition in which we could provide health services to the low and 
moderate income women that depend on the clinic's services.
  While a number of Solvay employees were responsible for the wonderful 
assistance described above we wish to especially thank Max Blake, 
Maintenance Superintendent, Bob Bagley Maintenance Supervisor, Mark 
Martin, Maintenance Foreman and Grover Wallace, Human Resources 
Director. The contribution to this agency and the community made 
possible by your caring efforts cannot be over emphasized.''
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all in southeastern Ohio, I would like to 
thank Solvay and its Washington County employees for their selflessness 
and service during last January's flooding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for 
the opportunity to share the story of Solvay and to give this company a 
recognition they most certainly deserve.

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