[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1714-E1715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE NATIONAL 
                   ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the founding of the National Association of Convenience 
Stores (NACS).
  Originally founded in 1961, today NACS represents more than 3,700 
companies that do business in more than 50 countries worldwide.
  The convenience retailing industry in America generates $575 billion 
dollars in sales annually, in its more than 146,000-plus stores across 
the country, and employs 1.6 million

[[Page E1715]]

Americans. NACS has helped the industry experience remarkable growth, 
convenience store sales today are more than 1,100 times greater than 
when NACS was founded. Cumulatively, the U.S. convenience store 
industry alone serves 160 million customers per day in this country 
alone.
  It is convenience stores that keep America's motors running. 
Convenience stores sell 80 percent of all the gasoline purchased in the 
country.
  NACS represents both large businesses and small family businesses 
that grow America's economy. More than half of convenience stores are 
owned by single-store operators. NACS helps member retailers to grow 
their businesses, from research and marketing to human resources and 
management.
  NACS also helps to advocate for those issues that are vital to these 
small business owners. From motor fuels policy, to prevention of 
tobacco sales to minors, to swipe fee reform, NACS is an industry 
leader in making sure their voices are heard.
  Convenience stores provide a speed of transaction that is 
unparalleled, and the large number of locations and extended hours of 
operation have redefined convenience, whether for food, fuel or other 
essential items. The extended hours and flexibility of convenience 
stores mean that they play a vital role in the communities they serve 
and customers are able to quickly pick up what they want, when they 
need it.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognizing the many contributions the National 
Association of Convenience Stores has made to our nation and to our 
history, I join my colleagues in celebrating the 50th anniversary of 
its founding.

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