[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 130 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GREATER OWENSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
remarkable accomplishments of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of 
Commerce. They were selected as the winner, out of eight National 
finalists, in the 2010 Chamber of the Year competition sponsored by the 
American Chamber of Commerce Executives, ACCE. This is quite a feat, as 
the ACCE's Chamber of the Year is the Nation's only award that 
recognizes local chambers for their dual role in creating and leading 
businesses and communities.
  Chambers wanting to apply for this award could do so if they had an 
exceptional year or if they had a program or initiative that went above 
and beyond expectations. With this in mind, the Greater Owensboro 
Chamber of Commerce highlighted their success in developing the Chamber 
Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky, C-LINK, alliance and 
the Owensboro Buys It! program in the application process.
  C-LINK includes 12 chambers in the region and has been a leading 
proponent of Interstate 69 in western Kentucky, one of the largest 
transportation projects in the region, which has seen significant 
progress in the past two years. Owensboro Buys It! was started in 2009 
to create local commerce and to teach small business leaders how to 
initiate an ``elevator pitch'' and sharpen their ability to gain and 
retain customers. When the chamber board of directors mapped out a 
strategic plan in 2008, they made it their goal to earn this award by 
2012. Because of their hard work, they managed to beat even that 
audacious goal.
  Under the leadership of chamber president Jody Wassmer, the board of 
directors, staff, and members of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of 
Commerce made their hometown, their Commonwealth, and this Senator very 
proud. I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in congratulating them 
on this honor.

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