[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  KNOXVILLE UTILITIES BOARD, BRIGHT LIGHT OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, with news reports that 68,000 jobs were shed 
just today, a bright light of corporate responsibility is emerging from 
my district in Tennessee, which should be applauded and hopefully be an 
example that is followed around the Nation.
  The Knoxville Utilities Board announced that it will not follow 
through with previously planned electric and water rate increases due 
to the current economic situation. Oftentimes, the national news 
reports only stories about businesses behaving badly. But business is 
not the enemy. KUB employs many people in my district and supplies 
vital public services. KUB announced that it will hold off on all 
utility rate increases as long as possible, and they will instead 
follow through with new cost management measures in order to help out 
its customers during this hard time. True success in the business world 
comes when you not just not watch out for your bottom line, but for 
your employees and customers.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I want to commend the staff at KUB and its 
board of commissioners for acting in the best interests of the people 
they serve and the Nation. I encourage other businesses to follow their 
lead as we navigate through this economic downturn.

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