[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM BURGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Burger, Vice 
President of Sales and Marketing at Helsel Lumber, who has been named 
the Small Business Association's Regional Exporter of the Year. Jim was 
presented with this award at the SBA's annual awards luncheon on May 
25th in Pittsburgh, PA, and will also be recognized at the St. Francis 
University Small Business Development Center's annual luncheon on June 
12th.
  The SBA Exporter of the Year is chosen from companies in Delaware, 
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC. 
This award recognizes exceptional business professionals whose business 
has seen an increase in sales and profits as well as growth in the 
number of employees as a result of exporting. Jim was nominated by the 
St. Francis University Small Business Development Center.
  Mr. Burger began his career with Helsel Lumber, an exporting company 
in Duncansville, PA, at the age of 16 as an after-school job, returning 
to the mill full time after graduating from Penn State University and 
working his way up to vice president and co-owner of the facility in 
2001. As vice president, Jim has worked tirelessly to lead the business 
to become an active and successful exporting company. His efforts have 
paid off, as Helsel Lumber has grown to include export sales to Europe 
and Asia and has recently done significant work in China. Helsel Lumber 
received an Export Achievement Award from the U.S. Commercial Service 
in 2006.
  Jim has made a significant contribution not only to the betterment of 
Helsel Lumber, but to the region's economic growth and success as well. 
Our small business leaders are key to the continued economic vitality 
and success of our communities. The company and the community are lucky 
to have such a devoted leader, and the members of our community who 
have benefited from the efforts of Helsel Lumber and Jim Burger would 
certainly join me in thanking him for his contributions to the 
community and economy.

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