[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO DAN LONG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BILL SALI

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. SALI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dan Long of Boise, 
Idaho. Dan will be representing Idaho in the 2008 National Small 
Businessman of the Year competition.
  The Small Business person of the Year Award is given annually by the 
United States Small Business Administration, SBA. Any individual who 
owns and operates or who bears principal responsibility for operating a 
small business may be nominated. A winner from each State has been 
selected and they will gather in Washington, DC, this week for the 
announcement of National Small Business Person of the Year. This event 
coincides with National Small Business Week.
  Criteria for selecting the Small Business Persons of the Year include 
substantiated history as an established business, growth in the number 
of employees, increase in sales and response to adversity, among other 
factors.
  Dan is an ideal candidate to represent Idaho for this award. He 
started A-1 Plumbing Service, Inc., in 1984 with one truck and one 
employee, himself. Dan had a vision of adding one truck per year for 
the first 10 years and using them to deliver exceptional service,
  Dan's vision has become reality. A-1 Plumbing has grown from one 
truck and one employee to offices in Boise and Nampa, 25 trucks and 36 
employees. In addition, the company has enjoyed a booming rate in sales 
and profits of 10 to 20 percent annually since its inception. 
Particularly impressive is the repeat customer percentage of 87 
percent.
  I also commend Dan for his practice of donating a minimum of one 
percent of revenues to local charities. His actions are exemplary. He 
is much deserving of the title National Small Businessman of the Year.
  Thank you, Dan, for your quality work. It is my honor to recognize 
you today.

                          ____________________