[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.

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