[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 23450]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF PAUL ARPIN VAN LINES INC.

 Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate 
Paul Arpin Van Lines Inc., a moving company based in West Warwick, 
Rhode Island, on its 100th anniversary.
  The business community of the State of Rhode Island is comprised 
primarily of small, family businesses. Indeed, 98 percent of Rhode 
Island businesses are small businesses. These businesses have played an 
extremely important role in the growth and strength of the Rhode Island 
economy. One of these businesses is a moving company, Paul Arpin Van 
Lines Inc., of West Warwick, Rhode Island.
  One hundred years ago this month, the company was founded by Paul G. 
Arpin, who left it to his son, Paul Arpin. Paul Arpin is still very 
active in the daily affairs of the business as Chief Financial Officer. 
Paul's son, David, is now the company's President.
  Paul Arpin Van Lines Inc., has grown considerably since its founding. 
It now employs 400 Rhode Islanders and has 160 agents throughout the 
country. It has survived the Great Depression, a number of recessions 
and various other financial downturns that challenged far larger 
businesses in the state. Its sound business practices and active 
community involvement through the years have been a constant source of 
pride, not only to the Arpin family, but to many generations of Rhode 
Island families employed by them.


  It is with great pleasure that I salute the entire Arpin family for 
its many accomplishments over this past century and wish them many, 
many more years of success.

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