[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)] [House] [Page H3903] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURNS CHEVROLET THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman) for 5 minutes. Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Burns Chevrolet throughout South Carolina. C. Weldon, otherwise known as C.W. Burns, was inspired by his grandfather to learn to become a mechanic. His family's dreams became a reality as he graduated from the Rahe Automobile and Tractor School in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5, 1919, at the young age of 19. Upon completing the program, C.W. returned to Pageland, South Carolina, to work in a garage. The owner gave C.W. a raise after his first week because he did far more work than any other mechanic there. Soon afterwards, C.W. opened his own service station, eventually starting his first Chevrolet dealership in Pageland on July 15, 1923-- 100 years ago today. In 1927, C.W. expanded his business and bought Ellison Chevrolet in Lancaster, South Carolina, with a partner, Mr. W.H. Cato. They originally named it Burns & Cato, Inc. Later C.W. bought out Mr. Cato's shares for $5,250 on February 5, 1930; therefore, owning the entire branch. Following the success of the Lancaster branch, C.W. bought Kershaw Chevrolet with his brother Jimmy R. Burns and W.H. Shaw, Jr., in 1931. In 1959, C.W. realized there would be far too much family for Lancaster Motor Company to absorb shortly after his twin sons graduated from college; therefore, C.W. sent his son, C. Weldon Burns, Jr., to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to open Burns Chevrolet there. Weldon purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Rock Hill on July 17, 1959. Weldon then partnered with Claude W. Burns, III, and D. Frank Polk, Jr., in Burns Chevrolet in Rock Hill. Weldon then opened Burns Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Gaffney, South Carolina. A few years later in 1989, Weldon bought out Frank in Gaffney and C. Sam Burns partnered with Weldon in Gaffney, South Carolina. Weldon and his three sons applied for the Ford dealership in Lancaster and were appointed Ford dealers on February 17, 1994. Robert W. Burns bought out his dad and brothers in 2003 to have sole ownership of Burns Ford in Lancaster. To usher in the new generation of Burns to the family business, Claude W. Burns, III, added the Cadillac brand in Rock Hill to the family collection on June 30, 2000. Additionally, D. Frank Polk became the Buick GMC dealer in Gaffney, South Carolina, shortly after in 2005. In 2010 Charles Samuel Burns became the dealer at Burns Chevrolet of Gaffney and sole owner, until he appointed his son, Charles S. Burns, Jr., a partner and dealer in 2020. On January 27, 2017, Weldon's sons, Claude and Robert, along with Claude's son, James R. Burns, added a new Ford dealership in York, South Carolina. James R. Burns continued to become the dealer of the Burns Chevrolet Cadillac in Rock Hill. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the century of dedication and service the entire Burns family has brought to the automotive industry in South Carolina. The Burns family has set the gold standard for what has made America the greatest nation known to man: our free enterprise system. For over 100 years, the Burns family continues to serve and gain new customers. Again, from all of us who live and reside in South Carolina, we send thanks to the Burns family. ____________________