[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 35 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES MADE BY JOHN OLIVER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2012

  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
John Oliver, an outstanding American citizen who has shown commitment 
and service to the Plymouth, Indiana community.
  A native of Newcastle in the United Kingdom, John immigrated to the 
United States on March 16, 1962 when he was 19 years old, and in 1975, 
he was officially recognized as a United States citizen.
  John began his journey in the manufacturing industry as a laborer for 
a small research and development firm. He moved to Plymouth to work for 
that company's manufacturing subsidiary, ultimately becoming its 
president in 1977. Nine years later, John purchased the company and 
renamed it U.S. Granules Corporation, which today produces fifty 
percent of the world's granulated aluminum. With his leadership, U.S. 
Granules remains a leader in technology and quality, producing particle 
products from aluminum recovered from industrial waste. Today, U.S. 
Granules has established customers on five continents.
  But what truly reflects John's commendable spirit is his service to 
his local community. He has been a pillar of support for the children 
of Plymouth. Quietly and without recognition, John endowed a fund to 
benefit the Plymouth High School Speech Team, a state leader in debate 
competition. To further advance the strength of local schools, John has 
made many financial donations to help with the purchase of books for 
school libraries, leadership seminars for students, and the expansion 
of scholarship and other award programs. In addition, John maintains an 
intern program at U.S. Granules that provides work experience and 
scholarship assistance.
  John has also been a supporter of youth baseball programs. He has 
been a longtime patron of the American Legion Post 27 baseball club, 
the Diamond Spyders, and helped organize its first sports program in 
the Plymouth area. John's support extends to the Indiana Baseball Hall 
of Fame, and with his assistance, it dedicated the Bill Nixon Plymouth 
Baseball Wing in October 2007. When inducted in to the Indiana Baseball 
Hall of Fame himself in 2009, John humbly reminded us that his 
contributions were dedicated to his community's youth and their future, 
not for personal gain.
  Moreover, John has been an active board member of the St. Joseph 
Regional Medical Center since 2004, where he has worked extensively on 
the hospital's committees related to finance, executive leadership, 
governance, and strategic planning. He is a former director of the 
Indiana Manufacturing Association, the Marshall County Industrial 
Association, the Plymouth Industrial Development Company, and the 
Marshall County Solid Waste Management District Citizens Board. In 
addition, he was chairman of the audit committee for the Marshall 
County Community Foundations. He served as fundraising drive chairman 
for the Marshall County United Way and the Plymouth Emergency Vehicle 
Fund.
  Through his extensive participation in his community including his 
service in the U.S. Army Reserves, he serves as the model of a civic-
minded American. On behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second 
District, I would like to salute his character, his personal 
achievements, and his contributions to our community.

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