[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING UNITED FINANCE COMPANY ON THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY AND 
     RICHARD PARKER III ON HIS 40 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the backbone of American communities are 
small, successful, family-owned enterprises. In Portland this month we 
are honoring the 90th anniversary of Parker family's United Finance 
Company and the 40th anniversary of Richard H. Parker's involvement 
with the family business.
  The Parker family and their business have been an anchor in 
Portland's eastside for almost a century. It has been my pleasure to 
work with Rick Parker, Jr., for virtually his entire time with the 
company, which coincides with my time serving in public office.
  His family and employees have been part of the revitalization of 
Portland's central-eastside district. He was one of the key members of 
the central-eastside industrial council which helped form a private-
public partnership with the city to protect and enhance this vital 
sector of our local economy.
  Most recently, it was my honor to work with him as a leader with 
Portland's streetcar renaissance and the successful project that 
brought it to the eastside of the Willamette River. Whether it's 
dealing with issues of public policy, public investment, or civic and 
charitable promotion, he and his family have played a vital role in 
Portland's vibrancy and the renaissance of Portland's near eastside.
  I extend my congratulations to him, the family business United 
Finance Company, and am secure in the knowledge that his son, Richard 
Parker III, is continuing the tradition of family stewardship and 
community involvement.
  Congratulations and we all look forward to celebrating the centennial 
in October 2023.

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