[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4586-S4587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    RECOGNIZING BATTERIES PLUS BULBS

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I will 
recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the 
American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to 
recognize a family-owned small business, Batteries Plus Bulbs of 
Bowling Green, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  Since 2004, David Paschall has owned and operated a Batteries Plus 
Bulbs franchise in Bowling Green, KY. As a young man, David owned and 
operated a successful service station in Puryear, TN. After meeting his 
wife, Dorothy, David relocated to Bowling Green in 1988. Dorothy, who 
was working in Bowling Green at the time, is a Kentucky native and a 
graduate of Western Kentucky University. Over the next few years, David 
started working in the batteries industry. When local entrepreneur 
Steve Sheldon opened a Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise in 1999, David 
joined his friend as store manager. In 2004, when Steve moved on from 
the company, David and Dorothy purchased the store.
  Today, Batteries Plus Bulbs Bowling Green continues to thrive under 
David and Dorothy's leadership. In addition to their original location, 
they own and operate Batteries Plus Bulbs franchises in Elizabethtown 
and Somerset, KY, and Clarksville, TN. David and Dorothy's care and 
attention to detail are evident in every aspect of their business. 
Their strong sense of family has built a tight-knit and supportive 
team, with several long-time employees working over a decade at the 
store. Customers are regularly greeted by name and treated according to 
the golden rule. Finding a solution to a customer's problem is 
prioritized over pushing a sale. Notably, Batteries Plus Bulbs Bowling 
Green is known for its

[[Page S4587]]

beloved mascot, Morris. A rescued cat, this 13-year-old orange tabby 
delights staff and visitors alike. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of 
Commerce recognized David's outstanding work, naming him the 2016 Small 
Business Person of the Year.
  Together with his wife, Dorothy, David gives back to his community. 
Locally, Batteries Plus Bulbs has sponsored several sports teams and 
charitable organizations, including the Bowling Green/Warren County 
Humane Society. David and Dorothy are active within their local church 
community as well. Notably, Dorothy also served as executive director 
of the Barren River Area Development District and was involved with the 
Hospice of Southern Kentucky.
  Like many small businesses, David and his team stepped up to keep 
their community supplied during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an essential 
business, they stayed open and adapted to State guidelines, ensuring 
all of their employees stayed healthy. Despite the challenges, at the 
end of 2020, Batteries Plus Bulbs Bowling Green was ranked No. 25 out 
of 740 franchises nationwide by the national corporate office.
  Batteries Plus Bulbs is a notable example of the endurance and 
resilience of family-owned businesses. Small businesses like Batteries 
Plus Bulbs form the heart of towns and cities across Kentucky, 
regularly stepping up to support their communities. Congratulations to 
David, Dorothy, and the entire team at Batteries Plus Bulbs Bowling 
Green. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching their 
continued growth and success in Kentucky and beyond.

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