[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO DUANE AND PATRICIA OHLRICH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two 
distinguished Nebraskans, Duane and Patricia Ohlrich of Columbus. Their 
company, Industrial Systems & Supply, Inc., was named the Nebraska 
Small Business of the Year for 2012 by the U.S. Small Business 
Administration.
  Small businesses like theirs are the engine of our economy. Over 
their more than 20 years in business together, Duane and Patricia built 
their company from $391,000 in sales to nearly $6 million in 2011. All 
the while, they successfully expanded their business into additional 
products to account for the changing economic climate.
  Duane and Patricia's success didn't just stop with their business--
they also gave back to their community. Among the many examples of 
their generosity was their collaboration with other Columbus area small 
businesses to provide seed money for Central Community College's 
entrepreneurship program, which offers workshops, seminars and other 
events to educate and promote business ownership.
  The success the Ohlrich's have earned through their hard work and 
perseverance is what the American Dream is all about. It is stories 
like theirs which make both Nebraska and our nation strong and proud. I 
ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Duane and Patricia 
for their achievement.

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