[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 141 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ROY SCHOTT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a hard-working 
businessowner, veteran, and respected Kentuckian, Mr. Roy Schott. Mr. 
Schott recently celebrated 61 years of work as a mechanic and service 
station owner and 55 years as a U-Haul outlet. His dedication to his 
work is something to be admired by us all.
  Mr. Schott's journey began at the age of 15 when he discovered his 
interest and aptitude in mechanics. This led him to his first job in a 
garage, where he repaired motor vehicles. In 1951, he left his job and 
home to serve our country in the Korean war as a motor sergeant.
  Upon returning to London, KY, from his time in the military, he and a 
friend opened a service station. Mr. Schott made an addition to his 
business in 1961 after seeing a U-Haul ad in the paper. The service 
station became Schott Marathon and U-Haul Dealership. At that time, U-
Haul charged only $3 a day to rent a trailer, later adding a $1 fee for 
hitch rentals.
  Mr. Schott's secrets to U-Haul success are good help, good customer 
service, and a good field manager. To this day, he has remained active 
in his business, coming every day to work alongside his loyal employees 
and interacting with his customers. After the loss of his wife in 2002, 
Mr. Schott considered retiring, but ultimately decided that he loves 
his job too much to ever stop.
  I am very honored to represent Mr. Schott here in the U.S. Senate and 
want to wish him congratulations on his many years of service not only 
to the people of London, KY, but also to this nation. I am sure my U.S. 
Senate colleagues join me in expressing gratitude and admiration for 
his service as well. He truly represents the finest of Kentucky.
  Mr. President, an area publication, the Sentinel-Echo, published a 
compelling article on Roy Schott's life. I ask unanimous consent that 
the article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the Sentinel-Echo, Aug. 22, 2016]

Still Going Strong: Roy Schott Celebrates 61 Years of Keeping Vehicles 
                              on the Road

                           (By Nita Johnson)

       London businessman Roy Schott has many memories.
       He will share some of those, but often says they are not 
     important.
       But after 61 years of operating Schott's Service Station on 
     Main Street, he has a lot of memories and a lot of knowledge 
     to go with it.
       ``Be sure to find out what kind of oil it needs,'' he said 
     to a customer who called his business on Thursday afternoon, 
     before going into the service section and assisting an 
     employee with loosening bolts on a car part.
       Schott said he got involved in the mechanic business 
     because it paid better than some other vocations available in 
     1943.
       ``I started working at a garage that is where the Sentinel-
     Echo is now,'' he said. ``I got $1.50 a day. Other places 
     only paid $1 a day, except the railroad and it paid $1 an 
     hour.''
       Schott learned to weld as part of his job, recalling that 
     parts weren't manufactured then as they are today.
       ``If a bus came in with a broken window, you had to fix it 
     with a piece of tin,'' he said.
       Schott left the business in 1951 with many other Laurel 
     Countians who went to serve their country in the Korean War. 
     He served two years during that conflict ``when all hell was 
     going on.'' War is no good memory for Schott, who still tears 
     up when he thinks about the end of World War II.
       ``When World War II ended, the bell at the courthouse rang 
     all day,'' he said. ``There would be four or five bodies of 
     boys come in every day.''
       Schott served as combat engineer in Korea, where he was a 
     motor sergeant and oversaw 23 trucks. He remembers those 
     trying times through a book presented to Korean veterans by 
     the Korean government. The book shows pictures of the 
     devastation during and following the war there, but 
     highlights the achievements made over the years as the 
     country rebuilt.
       Once safely back home after the Korean War, Schott opened 
     his service station on South Main Street near the former 
     Ormsby Hardware. While also operating his service station, 
     Schott became an authorized U-Haul rental facility. He 
     credits Bill Ormsby for that venture--one that earned him 
     recognition from U-Haul last year for 55 years as an 
     authorized dealer.
       ``I'm the oldest one in the state, probably the oldest one 
     in the country,'' he laughed.
       But in 1955, Schott got a loan to start his own business. 
     He remembers that day when his loan was approved.
       ``It was August 28, 1955,'' he said. ``When you borrow 
     money you know the date you got it.''
       He moved the business to its current spot on North Main 
     Street across from London Elementary School in 1960. Now, 56 
     years later, he continues the tradition he began, still 
     working performing his magic on brakes, tires and air 
     conditioning units. The business has served him well, 
     providing for his four children over the years. He also has 
     grandchildren, of whom he cannot hide his pride.
       ``Let me tell you about my grandchildren. No, that would 
     take too long,'' he said with a laugh.
       Schott plans to continue to work until he is no longer 
     able, refusing to retire. When asked if he still works on 
     vehicles himself, he holds out his hands as proof.
       ``I guess I do,'' he said.
       He once considered retirement following the death of his 
     wife 14 years ago. But his son-in-law quickly talked him out 
     of it.
       ``He said, `What are you going to do, climb the walls?' so 
     I decided to stay open,'' he said.
       He believes working and staying busy is why he continues to 
     be able to serve residents in the London and Laurel areas.
       ``A friend who retired told me to work all I could,'' he 
     said. ``He said the walls would close in on you after a 
     little while. So when people ask me if I'm going to stay here 
     until they have to carry me out, I tell them I guess they 
     will.''

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