[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 13, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   SUPPORT NATIONAL AUCTIONEERING DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Long) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the cornerstones 
of American capitalism and my profession for over 30 years, that being 
auctioneering. Auctioneers sell approximately $250 billion in assets 
each year in the United States, and this figure does not include the 
millions of transactions that occur online with online auctions.
  It's estimated that there are 20,000 auctioneers in the Nation, the 
vast majority of which are small business owners. Auto auctions make up 
the largest volume of auctions, with over $80 billion in vehicles being 
sold by auctioneers annually in the United States. If you drive a used 
car, chances are very good it's been across the auction block.
  Auctions and auctioneers have existed for over 2,000 years. 
Auctioneering was fundamental in the creation of commerce here in the 
United States. Auctioneers first arrived in the United States when the 
Pilgrims arrived.
  You go to an auction in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Branson, Missouri; 
Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Miami, Florida--anywhere you go to 
an auction in this country, we all go by one handle, and that handle is 
``colonel.'' You can walk up to an auctioneer in any auction in the 
United States, you don't know that auctioneer's name, you say, ``Hey, 
Colonel,'' they'll turn around and answer you.
  Why ``colonel''? That dates back to the Civil War in this country. 
After the Civil War, they needed a way to get rid of the mules and tack 
and things they had left over, supplies; so they did that by a matter 
of public auction. They nominated the Army colonels to serve as the 
auctioneers. Now, they didn't have any professional training as 
auctioneers; however, they would just say, ``I'm at a dollar for this 
saddle, a dollar-fifty. Anyone give two dollars? Sold at a dollar-
fifty.'' So when you hear the term ``colonel,'' that's where it 
originated, back in the Civil War.
  Auctioneers were instrumental in the formation of early commerce by 
selling crops, imports, livestock, tools, tobacco, fur, and farms. Even 
President George Washington was a big auction fan and an avid buyer at 
public auction.
  For over 30 years, I had the honor of selling real estate at public 
auction. Did I sell depressed, distressed real estate? Once in a very 
great while. But I sold real estate as people's first option, not their 
last resort. So keep in mind, auctions could be a way to achieve the 
highest value in the shortest amount of time. If you've got a hot 
property, instead of having it listed and sold in 1 day or 2 days, put 
it up at public auction and see what happens.
  Every day auctioneers work with banks, attorneys, accountants, 
businesses, individuals, and government agencies to liquidate property 
seized and surplus property. Auctioneers create a competitive 
marketplace and connect buyers with sellers every day.
  The National Auctioneers Association and its members strive to 
advance the auction methods of marketing and upholding the highest 
standards of professionalism to the national public. For over 20 years, 
National Auctioneers Day has been observed by State and local 
governments.
  For those reasons and more, Jeff Duncan, another freshman auctioneer 
Member of Congress here, and I want to make this, the third Saturday in 
April, National Auctioneers Day. We will be dropping a bill to that 
effect. This would heighten the awareness of people in the United 
States of the contributions made by auctions and auctioneers to the 
history of the Nation and its economy.
  Auctions are the last stronghold of the competitive free market 
enterprise system and continue to be the most effective means of 
establishing a fair market value.
  Also, one other thing. Being an auctioneer in Congress, the way our 
debt is running out of control, they find it very handy to have Jeff 
Duncan and me here in Washington. We are two of the few people that can 
actually keep up with the national debt:
  I'm at a trillion now 2, 2 trillion dollars now 3 woodygive 3 
trillion, 3 trillion bid and now 4, 4 trillion, now 5, 5 trillion 
dollars now six are ye able to buy 'em at 6, 6 trillion now 7, 
woodygive 7 trillion, 7 trillion dollars bid now 8, 8 trillion dollars 
now 9, 9 trillion now 10 woodygive 10 trillion dollars, 10 trillion 
dollars now 11, 11 trillion now 12, do I hear 12 trillion dollars, 11 
trillion bid now 12, 11 trillion bid now 12 now 12 woodygive 12 
trillion dollars, 12 now 13, 12 trillion bid now 13, 13 trillion now 14 
woodygive 14, 14 trillion dollars now 15 woodygive 15 trillion. Sold, 
14 trillion dollars.
  Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, we also can say those numbers backwards; so 
when we get the spending under control here, I'll be back.

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