[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RICHARD GALLO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2005

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Gallo, owner 
and president of Gallo Office Products in Indiana, Pennsylvania, who 
has been named a NFIB Small Business Champion Award Winner for 2005. 
The NFIB Small-Business Champion award program identifies a 
smallbusiness activist in each of the 50 States who have distinguished 
themselves through their involvement and participation in NFIB programs 
and activities.
  Within months of starting his own business in 1992, Richard Gallo 
joined NFIB and has worked ever since to support Main Street small 
businesses. As an elected official, candidate for State office, civic 
leader, and NFIB member, Richard has been a tireless advocate for his 
community and a supporter for the free enterprise system.
  As a committed member for over thirteen years, Richard Gallo is 
currently serving his second term on the NFIB/Pennsylvania Leadership 
Council as a vice president. Prior to his election as a LC vice 
president, Richard served as chairman of the Area Action Council--
Pennsylvania's first AAC.
  On top of his local NFIB leadership, Rich has supported the NFIB 
Young Entrepreneur Foundation Scholarship program, which encourages 
entrepreneurship in young Americans. Rich has testified before both 
Congress and the Pennsylvania State legislature. In 1999, Rich 
testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business concerning 
small-business health plans (formerly known as AHPs). In 2000, he 
testified before the Pennsylvania House Select Committee on 
Pharmaceuticals, and in 2004 Richard testified before the Pennsylvania 
House State Government Committee on Contract Bundling. Rich has 
represented NFIB at several Presidential events and has also worked 
actively to help the sales team to recruit new NFIB members, including 
attending drive-a-longs with sales representatives. In addition to his 
extensive activities with NFIB, Richard is a long time community 
activist. Richard recently retired as Indiana Borough Council vice 
president and has run three times for the state legislature. In 1994, 
Richard was named Indiana County's Republican Man of the Year, and he 
also served as the State Board Vice Chairman of the Yokefellowship 
Prison Ministry. He is a past president of the Indiana Lions Club, a 
board member of a local YMCA, an Indiana Midday Rotary Club member, and 
a member of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce.
  Richard Gallo's contribution to America's small businesses, NFIB, and 
his surrounding community is truly invaluable. I am proud of his 
efforts to strengthen the economy and the engine of our economy, small 
business.

                          ____________________