[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SALUTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 2, 2011

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute the Better Business 
Bureau of Middle Tennessee. An organization dedicated to consumer 
protection, business standards, and community involvement, the Bureau 
has seen record growth and become a pillar in our great city of 
Nashville.
  In October of 1961, the Bureau opened its doors with 510 members. 
During the 1960s, it handled nearly 80,000 service requests. After 5 
decades of expansion and growth, the Better Business Bureau of Middle 
Tennessee now has 5,000 members. In 2011, the Bureau will top 3 million 
requests with 98 percent of all services delivered via the Internet.
  The Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee has a solid reputation 
for both helping the consumer and raising the standards of business. 
The Bureau continually encourages businesses to strive for the highest 
and most ethical standards in commerce. Local businesses aspire to be 
recipients of the highly coveted ``Torch Award for Marketplace 
Ethics.''
  Although its primary focus is to direct consumers to businesses they 
can trust, the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee has become a 
community partner and a good corporate citizen. The Bureau has invested 
in higher education awarding scholarships to deserving high schools 
students through the ``Students of Integrity'' program and partners 
with many other nonprofits in community events throughout the area.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to salute the Better 
Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee for its 50 years of dedicated 
service to our citizens and our community, and for promoting higher 
ethical standards in business.

                          ____________________