[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEORIA CHARTER COACH COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 2016

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor a remarkable business, 
Peoria Charter Coach Company, an icon of Central Illinois celebrating 
their 75th anniversary.
  Peoria Charter Coach Company started in Lacon, Illinois under Walter 
Winkler who had nothing but the earnest desire to put his community 
first. After seeing his fellow citizens struggle to travel to work due 
to the World War II gas rations, he opened a bus service so that others 
around him could safely commute to work to earn their paychecks.
  Seventy-five years later and now headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, 
four generations of Winklers have found many other ways to serve their 
community. From transporting war-time United States Defense Workers and 
Military Personnel to serve their country to helping schoolchildren to 
attend classes, from assisting college students returning home for the 
holidays to serving locals looking to catch a ball game in Chicago, the 
Winklers continue to pride themselves on assisting others. To date, the 
Peoria Charter Coach Company now carries an impressive half million 
passengers over four million miles annually.
  I am thankful that America has been a country where hard-working 
families with a vision, such as the Winklers can grow their small 
business, employ others, and serve their fellow Americans. I extend my 
sincere congratulations to the Winkler Family and Peoria Charter Coach 
Company for their impressive accomplishments and thank them for their 
continued service to the 18th District. I wish them seventy-five more 
years of good fortune and safe travels.

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