[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING CARLTON SMITH, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT 
RESOURCES OF FLORIDA, INC. (HERO FL), UPON RECEIVING THE SMALL BUSINESS 
  ADMINISTRATION'S 2014 REGIONAL AND STATE OF FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS 
                       EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jacksonville's 
very own Carlton Smith, Executive Vice President of Heavy Equipment 
Resources of Florida, Inc. (HERO FL), upon receiving the Small Business 
Administration's 2014 Regional and State of Florida Small Business 
Exporter of the Year Award. It is an honor to represent Carlton and his 
thriving export company, located in the Fourth Congressional District 
of Florida. Small businesses, like HERO FL, are the backbone of this 
country and are job creators that are revitalizing our nation's 
economy.
  HERO FL began in 2008, when Carlton, his father Leslie, and uncle 
George, decided to take advantage of the opportunities that the 
expansion of JAXPORT had to offer. Expanding on their already 
successful commercial landscaping business, Carlton saw an opportunity 
to branch out internationally, exporting machinery and other materials 
to construction and mining industries across the globe. And so, HERO FL 
was born.
  HERO FL began specializing in worldwide exports of components, spare 
parts, and heavy machinery to mining and earthmoving industries. The 
company's ability to deliver hard-to-find parts quickly and efficiently 
to remote mining locations throughout the world has deservedly garnered 
a lot of attention.
  In addition to the prestigious Small Business Administration award, 
HERO FL was recently honored with the President's ``E'' Award for its 
efforts to expand national exports. Created under President John F. 
Kennedy, the ``E'' Award recognizes people, firms or organizations that 
make major contributions in U.S. exports. Today, the ``E'' Award is the 
highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for noteworthy export 
promotion efforts.
  Due to HERO FL's success, today, 100 percent of its revenue stems 
from export sales and from 2010 to 2013, HERO FL's sales grew an 
astounding 344 percent. This is a true American success story and 
should serve as inspiration for all small business owners. I am proud 
that the First Coast can claim Carlton Smith and his prosperous company 
as its own.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you and Members of the House of Representatives 
join me in this very special congressional salute to Carlton Smith and 
everyone at HERO FL.

                          ____________________