[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S5538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     RECOGNIZING TODD CASE TRUCKING

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Todd 
Case Trucking of Louisa, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  Todd Case, owner of Todd Case Trucking, is the classic definition of 
a self-made man. Though he now owns a fleet of around 30 trucks, in 
addition to other business ventures, his trucking business bares his 
own name in reflection of how the company began: a time when Todd Case 
served as his own boss and was the company's sole employee. He got his 
start in the trucking business earlier than most when he bought his 
first truck at 17. That was back in the early 1980s when, like many men 
in the region, Mr. Case was working for the owner of a coal mine. Mr. 
Case had already saved up several hundred dollars from his work cutting 
weeds when he overheard the owner of the mine talk about his plans to 
sell the truck he had been using to haul coal. When Mr. Case first 
approached his employer about buying the truck, the owner of the mine 
said no, insisting that Mr. Case instead attend college. With great 
ingenuity Mr. Case replied that buying the truck would allow him to 
attend college, as it would give him a means to not only pay for his 
tuition but give him some income to subside on while in school. Won 
over by his entrepreneurial argument, the owner agreed to sell his 
truck to Mr. Case and accepted his down payment of $1,800.
  Shortly thereafter, Mr. Case found himself attending the University 
of Kentucky, driving the rig on Tuesday and Thursday nights while he 
pursued his degree in accounting and finance. Throughout his college 
career, Mr. Case was no spendthrift, saving what money he could from 
his trucking work while putting himself through college. By his 
sophomore year, Mr. Case had saved enough money to convince a local 
bank to lend him the funds he needed to buy a second truck. This 
acquisition which took place during his sophomore year proved to be the 
first step on a long and industrious path of growth in his business.
  Today, Mr. Case's fleet of trucks services Kentucky, West Virginia, 
and Virginia, bringing much-needed goods to the tri-State area. 
Moreover, Todd Case Trucking plays a vital role in the local economy as 
Kentucky, once famous for its burgeoning coal industry, now looks 
towards other economic opportunities to employ the citizens of the 
Commonwealth. Mr. Case, originally hailing from Pikeville, understands 
the need to provide Kentuckians with more diverse work opportunities, 
and that is why his Louisa-based business employs all its drivers 
exclusively from the Bluegrass State.
  Though Mr. Case has since expanded his business portfolio by owning 
several other businesses in addition to his venture in the trucking 
industry, he maintains a watchful eye over Todd Case Trucking. Always 
keeping his community in mind, Todd Case Trucking partners with the 
local chapter of Masons to host an annual event called ``Fishing For 
Kids.'' This fishing competition welcomes children of all ages and 
provides close to 300 toys to all participants, many of those toys 
being bicycles and fishing rods. As an active member of the local 
chapter of the Masons, Mr. Case also lends a generous hand to all the 
local high school football and baseball teams when they are in need of 
additional funding. Moreover, Mr. Case currently sits on the board of 
trustees of University of Kentucky, and he works to ensure all students 
have the same bountiful opportunities that his alma mater provided him.
  Todd Case Trucking bares a similar history to many other businesses 
in Kentucky and the Appalachia region; when the bounty provided by coal 
came and went, this business grew out of the remains and blossomed into 
a successful venture and fountain of opportunity for the local 
community. Mr. Case has long had a determined nature and knack for 
ingenuity, which is why he first became an entrepreneur as a high 
school student. In the decades since, Mr. Case has grown into a 
successful businessman and a great steward of his community. 
Congratulations to Todd Case and the entire team at Todd Case Trucking. 
I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in 
Kentucky.

                          ____________________