[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       175TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNUM

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 175th 
anniversary of Unum, a great company with deep Maine roots, the 
country's largest provider of private disability insurance and a leader 
in advancing the health and financial security of America's workers.
  When the company was incorporated in Maine in 1848 as Union Mutual, 
the very first policy issued covered founder and president Elisha B. 
Pratt for $5,000. Today, Unum helps protect 45 million people and their 
families across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The 
company pays $8 billion in benefits each year and helps many people in 
their journey back to work after a long illness or injury. More than 
180,000 businesses, including many of America's largest companies, 
partner with Unum to provide for their employee's well-being.
  Unum has a long history in Maine and is today one our State's major 
employers with a proud tradition of providing access to insurance 
coverage for workers and their families. The company was a pioneer in 
the nascent insurance market in the United States and, over the years, 
has provided businesses and individuals with new ways to help protect 
their financial futures.
  A century ago, Unum was the first to offer life insurance through 
group coverage, enabling employees to purchase policies at reduced 
premiums. Nearly 85 years ago, the company introduced the first 
disability insurance to provide workers with the ability to protect 
their paychecks in the event of illness or injury.
  An article titled ``The Popular Home Company'' in the ``Maine Board 
of Trade Journal'' from 1905 offered two examples of business practices 
that illustrate the principles that guide the company: It writes 
policies in simple, understandable language devoid of technicalities, 
and it pioneered extending insurance coverage to beneficiaries who had 
fallen behind in premium payments due to the difficulties that often 
precede a death in the family. As a result, the article stated, it 
would be impossible to fully describe ``the hardships it has alleviated 
in thousands of families throughout the land.''
  With around 11,000 employees across the U.S. and in Europe, Unum 
provides a dynamic and welcoming workplace where people can experience 
rewarding careers and are encouraged to bring their best ideas to work. 
I am proud to note the company's recognition by many third parties as a 
best employer for excellence in health and wellbeing, disability 
employment, diversity, opportunity for women and new graduates, and 
technology. For the last 3 years, the company has received the 
prestigious designation as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by 
the Ethisphere.
  Unum has a tradition of giving back to the community. The company has 
been recognized for 5 consecutive years on the Civic 50 list of 
America's most community-minded companies by the Points of Light 
Foundation founded by President George H. W. Bush. Unum provided $12 
million of charitable giving last year, while its employees donated 
more than 45,000 hours of volunteer work, for causes as diverse as 
developing education leaders in Maine, helping enable rehabilitative 
services for patients in Tennessee, and supporting humanitarian efforts 
in Poland.
  Throughout its 175-year history, Unum has had a tremendous impact in 
the State of Maine and beyond. I congratulate the company and its 
employees on reaching this impressive milestone and wish them a long 
and successful future.

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