[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 13 (Thursday, January 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING GARY FRANCE, OWNER OF FRANCE PROPANE SERVICE, INC., IN 
   SCHOFIELD, WISCONSIN AND HIS SERVICE TO THE NATIONAL PROPANE GAS 
                    ASSOCIATION AND PROPANE INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SEAN P. DUFFY

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 23, 2014

  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special honor to my 
constituent Gary France, owner of France Propane Service, Inc., in 
Schofield, Wisconsin. After decades of hard work in the propane 
industry, Mr. France has received the distinct honor of being named 
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Propane Gas 
Association (NPGA). As Chairman, Gary brings experience and wisdom to 
the position, leading a national organization of more than 3,000 
members of the propane gas industry.
  Mr. France has served as an industry leader on both the state and 
national levels for almost four decades. He started his work in the 
propane industry in 1964 working at his family's retail propane 
business at the young age of 13. After decades of commitment to growing 
his family's business, Mr. France became a small business owner in 1990 
when he bought his family business and formed France Propane Service, 
Inc.
  Prior to serving as Chairman of NPGA, Mr. France represented the 
state of Wisconsin on the NPGA Board of Directors from 2002 until 2010, 
and received the State Director of the Year Award in 2009. During this 
period, he also chaired NPGA's Member Services Committee and was a 
member of the Government Affairs Committee. Mr. France also has served 
on the Board of the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association for 35 years, 
during which time he served as President and as Chair of the Education 
and Legislative Committees.
  On a personal level, Mr. France's servant's heart extends to his 
beloved family. He has been married to his wife Nancy for nearly 40 
years, and has raised three children and now four grandchildren. Mr. 
France has also been a stalwart in his local communities of Schofield 
and Wausau, taking on leadership roles with the Wausau Early Bird 
Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wausau Area Catholic School 
System, and the Mobile Meals charitable organization.
  Mr. France's innate ability to lead by example and his natural 
penchant to take pride in his work resonates throughout the propane 
community. He stands as an example of the work ethic, genuine humility, 
and love-for-country that one finds in Wisconsin.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to call Gary France a constituent and 
a friend, and I congratulate him on attaining this high honor.

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