[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E851-E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING PATRICK TURLEY OF PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS, RECIPIENT OF THE 
   SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S PHOENIX AWARD FOR SMALL BUSINESS 
                           DISASTER RECOVERY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor today 
to acknowledge Patrick Turley from Palmer, Massachusetts upon being 
named the recipient of the Small Business Administration's Phoenix 
Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery.
  Patrick Turley, President of Turley Publications, received the 
Phoenix Award in Washington, DC today for his tremendous commitment to 
his community. SBA Administrator Steven Preston describes recipients of 
these awards as ``individuals [who have] displayed tremendous courage 
and selflessness in the midst of the most devastating disasters ever 
experienced by our Agency.'' The SBA also describes the Phoenix Award 
as an acknowledgement of an individual's heroic efforts, and as ``a 
token of appreciation for their support of the physical and economic 
recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast and New England States.''
  Turley Publications is one of New England's largest printers of 
community and university newspapers. Located in Palmer, Massachusetts, 
the company was founded in 1962 when Patrick H. and Thomas A. Turley 
purchased the Palmer Journal & Monson Register. From these humble 
beginnings, this locally owned family business has grown from 1 weekly 
newspaper into a chain of 15 weekly newspapers ringing the Springfield 
market and 3 monthly specialty publications with national circulations.
  In addition, Turley Publications prints student newspapers and 
magazines for the 5 sister colleges in the Springfield/Holyoke region--
as well as for Harvard University, Yale

[[Page E852]]

University, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts University, and 
UMass-Amherst. Turley Publications has been printing the Daily 
Collegian, the UMass Amherst student newspaper, since that publication 
went daily in 1967. It also prints other newspapers, including the 
Worcester Business Journal and its sister publications Hartford 
Business Journal, and Mainebiz, as well as the Holden Landmark.
  Today, Turley Publications remains locally owned and operated by 
Patrick Turley and his sons Keith and Doug. They are responsible for 
nearly 250 employees working in various locations. The two main 
production facilities are located in West Springfield and Palmer, 
Massachusetts.
  Turley Publications was forced to stop the presses in October 2005 
when floodwater caused property losses over 900 thousand dollars. I 
visited Turley Publications immediately after the flooding occurred and 
can personally attest to the severity of the damage at the Water Street 
facility in Palmer.
  But high water didn't stop Patrick Turley from tackling the job that 
needed to be done. He decided he wasn't going to miss a deadline. 
Dedicated employees helped with the cleanup, electricity was restored, 
and 2 university newspapers were printed on time. Turley received an 
SBA disaster loan and within 5 months the plant was running once more 
at full capacity.
  I had the honor of meeting with Patrick Turley and his wife Ann today 
when they visited my Washington office. I would like to echo the 
accolades of the Small Business Administration in recognizing Patrick 
Turley as an extraordinary businessman and citizen. Congratulations.

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