[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING MR. WILLARD LASSETER

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Madam President, it is with great pride that 
today I honor my dear friend and fellow Georgian, Willard Lasseter, who 
recently completed his 50th year with John Deere's Lasseter Tractor 
Company, Inc. Willard and I not only share a strong desire for a 
successful agriculture sector throughout Georgia and the United States, 
but we also share the same hometown of Moultrie, GA.
  Willard began his many years of service to the farmers of Colquitt 
County in 1945 when he began to work part time for the local John Deere 
dealership. In 1956, with a little over $14,000 in borrowed money, 
Willard purchased a 25 percent share of the John Deere dealership and 
on December 1, 1956, Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc. had its first day 
of business. By 1959, Willard, along with help from his father, had 
secured the remaining shares of the John Deere dealership. The success 
of the business was almost instantaneous as Lasseter Tractor Company 
became the No. 1 dealer in terms of sales volume for the Atlanta branch 
of John Deere dealerships by 1960.
  Since its first day of business Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc. has 
been a model dealership for Deere and Company. Lasseter Tractor 
Company, Inc.'s many accomplishments include being named to the John 
Deere's Manager Club for 12 consecutive years, being a John Deere 
Signature Dealer for top performance in the market place for 5 
consecutive years, and being a Gold Star dealer for top performance in 
commercial products in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Lasseter Tractor Company, 
Inc. has also garnered the top market share in the Atlanta branch of 
dealerships for 3 consecutive years.
  Through the years, Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc. has continued to 
expand and prosper. In the late 1990's Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc. 
began construction of a state-of-the-art dealership and service 
facility that encompasses over 45,000 square feet. The service center 
itself can accommodate over 20 cotton pickers. This is not only an 
important feature but it is also a necessary feature because Lasseter 
Tractor Company, Inc., is among the top dealerships for sales and 
servicing of cotton pickers.
  Today's Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc., spans south Georgia with 
dealerships in three counties. Not only has the business increased in 
size but also in the number of generations that are now involved in the 
business. Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc., now includes Willard's son 
Tony and grandson Judd, who oversee the day-to-day operations of the 
business. One philosophy that Lasseter Tractor Company, Inc., has 
maintained throughout its existence is: ``You must give your customers 
the best product at the fairest price possible.'' This is a philosophy 
that has allowed the company to continue to meet and exceed the needs 
of its customers.
  It is hard to imagine what the state of agriculture might be in 
southwest Georgia if that young high school student, Willard Lasseter, 
did not step into the John Deere dealership in Moultrie, GA, in 1945 to 
begin working part time.
  I am extremely proud of the milestone that Willard has just met and 
it is my sincere hope that he continues his success in the agribusiness 
community for many years to come. I want to thank my colleagues for 
giving me the opportunity to recognize my dear friend Willard 
Lasseter.

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