[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND EFFORTS OF LT. COL. JIM CANNON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CAROL D. MILLER

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2020

  Mrs. MILLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize retired 
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Cannon for his efforts in pioneering the 
National Workforce Awards. Located in Athens, West Virginia, this 
company's sole purpose is to provide national awards for employers that 
want to appreciate, encourage, and motivate exceptional employees. 
Given after fulfillment of stringent criteria, these awards include the 
National Economic Welfare Medal, The National Productivity Cross, The 
National Distinguished Service Star, and The National Order of Job 
Formation.
   Lieutenant Colonel Cannon has truly dedicated his life to civil 
service. In 1965, he joined the Army and would serve for a total of 34 
years as both an active duty and reserve officer. He received the 
Legion of Merit award in 1983 for eighteen years of exceptional 
meritorious conduct. After retiring from the military, he worked in the 
private sector as a Corporation Manager, yet he still involved himself 
in publics affairs by becoming the Mayor of Princeton, West Virginia, 
in 1984 and serving until 1988.
   In 1993, Lieutenant Colonel Cannon became the Vice President of 
Business and Finance at Concord University. This is where he came up 
with the idea to create a company that honors those that go above and 
beyond for their employers: while at work one unfortunate evening, 
Concord University's South Tower Residence Hall was caught ablaze by a 
student's candle. The Athens Fire Department quickly put out the fire, 
but students on two floors of the residence hall were displaced because 
of structural damage and fire extinguisher residue. The custodial staff 
at Concord worked around the clock to make the dorms habitable for the 
students effected, resulting in many moving back-in only after 24 
hours.
   Lieutenant Colonel Cannon wished he could have put a medal on each 
and every community member, including Concord's Staff and the 
firefighters, that went above the call of duty to overcome this 
terrible accident. This is why he started the National Workforce Awards 
in 2015 to honor people across our nation that have done similar acts 
of excellence for their employers. I commend the National Workforce 
Awards for encouraging higher productivity, more innovation, and a 
strong, completive work ethic.
   May God bless Lieutenant Colonel Cannon, and may he continue his 
work in recognizing great Americans throughout our country.

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