[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GAYLE O. AVERYT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
tremendous business and civic leader and a great friend. Mr. Gayle 
Averyt is being honored on October 1st for accomplishing an 
extraordinary feat--50 years of service to the same employer--Colonial 
Life & Accident Insurance Company.
  After earning a bachelor's degree from Davidson College and an MBA 
from Harvard Business School, Gayle joined the staff of Colonial in 
1958 at the age of 25. He rose through the ranks at Colonial, proving 
himself a very capable and collegial businessman. By 1970, he became 
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer at a 
youthful 37 years of age. He held those positions for 23 years, until 
assuming the title of Chairman Emeritus of Colonial Life in 1993. That 
was the same year Colonial merged with UNUM Corporation of Portland, 
Maine, and he served on UNUM Corporation's Board of Directors from 
1993-1999.
  Gayle is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Health 
Insurance Association of America and served as Secretary of the South 
Carolina Insurance Commission. He also served on the Board of 
NationsBank, a board member of the National Association (Carolinas) 
from 1992-1995 and as a member of the Board of Directors of the South 
Carolina Ports Authority from 1995-1999.
  Despite his hectic career, Gayle believed in his community and sought 
opportunities to give back. He is a member of the Executive Committee 
of the Foundation for Columbia's Future and is a former member of the 
Executive Committee (1979-1995) and Vice President (1988-1995) of the 
South Carolina State Fair Association. He has been a trustee of the 
University of South Carolina Business Partnership Foundation and is 
past president of the University of South Carolina Research and 
Development Foundation, having served as a Trustee of the Foundation 
from 1980-1991. He is past president of the University of South 
Carolina Orchestra Association and served on the board of the Cultural 
Council of Richland and Lexington Counties.
  Gayle has been awarded numerous recognitions. In 1989, the South 
Carolina State Chamber of Commerce recognized him as South Carolina 
Businessman of the Year. The University of South Carolina awarded him 
the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service that same year. He 
received Distinguished Service Awards from USC and from the Moore 
School of Business at USC in 1993 and 2006 respectively. In 1994, he 
received the Order of the Palmetto, which is the highest civic honor 
awarded by the Governor to individual citizens for outstanding service 
to the state. Four years later, he was inducted into the South Carolina 
Business Hall of Fame.
  While Gayle has been a lifelong Republican who has been very active 
in numerous political campaigns, he has been a very ardent support of 
me and my political efforts. I am proud to call him a dear friend.
  Gayle is married to the former Margaret ``Peg'' Finlay, and the two 
have three daughters, Caroline, Margaret, and Elinor. They are very 
active members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Gayle Averyt for a remarkable career at Colonial Life & 
Accident and a lifetime of dedication to his community. He is a man of 
honor and integrity. I applaud his many contributions, and extend my 
best wishes and Godspeed on this tremendous occasion.

                          ____________________