[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 96 (Thursday, June 5, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING BOB KIERLIN

  (Mr. Finstad of Minnesota was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. FINSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bob 
Kierlin, a beloved community member and dedicated public servant who 
passed away earlier this year at the age of 85.
  Born and raised in Winona, Bob was a fixture in the southeastern 
Minnesota community. He graduated from Cotter High School and served in 
the Peace Corps in Venezuela before going on to represent his neighbors 
from Winona in the Minnesota State Senate from 1999 to 2007.
  As a young man in 1967, Bob and four of his high school friends 
founded the Fastenal Company when Bob saw a need to get hardware to the 
construction sites quickly. A new supply chain concept was born.
  With Bob's innovation and his leadership, Fastenal quickly grew into 
a worldwide distributor, employing more than 23,000 employees with 
locations in all 50 States and 25 countries. Today, Fastenal is a 
Fortune 500 company and Winona's largest employer.
  Bob was much more to his hometown than a CEO, though. His community 
involvement and generosity to local causes was seemingly limitless, 
setting an example for us all in how to serve our neighbors in greater 
need.

  I have no doubt that Bob's legacy will live on through the countless 
lives he impacted, both personally and professionally. He was a 
renowned business leader, a generous benefactor, and a dedicated public 
servant. He was also a true friend to a great many of us across 
southern Minnesota.
  He will truly be missed. May he rest in peace.

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