[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6012]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RAMSEY, INDIANA WILFRED EDWARD ``COUSIN WILLIE'' SIEG, SR. POST OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL E. SODREL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor I introduce this bill 
to recognize the accomplishments of one man by naming the Ramsey, IN 
postal facility after a beloved member of our community, ``Cousin 
Willie''. The privilege to introduce this bill with the support of the 
entire Indiana Delegation makes it all that more special.
  If you asked someone in Ramsey who Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr. was or 
what he was about, some may not be able to tell you. But if you asked 
them about ``Cousin Willie'', that's a different story. ``Cousin 
Willie'' and Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr. are one in the same.
  Wilfred Edward ``Cousin Willie'' Sieg, Sr., son of the late Edward 
and Agnes Gettelfinger Sieg, was born March 16, 1931 in his life-long 
home of Ramsey, IN. After finishing High School at Corydon High, 
``Cousin Willie'' went on to graduate from Indiana University in 1953 
with a degree in marketing. Upon graduation, Cousin Willie served our 
country as First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He 
continued to serve his country through 1968 as a member of both the Air 
Force and the Air Force Reserves.
  After his active-duty service, Cousin Willie returned home to help 
run the family business, Ramsey Popcorn Company, alongside his parents 
and brothers. ``Cousin Willie's'' parents started Ramsey Popcorn in 
1944 going door to door selling raw popcorn kernels out of the back of 
their truck. The business soon grew and in the early 1960's, ``Cousin 
Willie'', along with his three brothers, took over day-to-day 
operations of the business from his parents and eventually served as 
President of Ramsey Popcorn Co., Inc. Under his guidance, Ramsey 
Popcorn Co. grew to become one of the top four producers of popcorn in 
the world. The company sells roughly 50 million pounds of popcorn a 
year and exports to over 20 countries throughout the world. Ramsey also 
sells to house-hold name snack food manufacturers and supermarkets 
including Kraft, Frito Lay, Campbell's, The Kroger Co. and Target as 
just a sample.
  Before graduating from IU, ``Cousin Willie'' married his High School 
sweetheart, Doris Marie Byrum. ``Cousin Willie'' and Doris were the 
proud parents of 13 children. Cousin Willie was a firm believer in hard 
work and was known to put his kids to work on the family farm doing 
tough and unwanted jobs. ``That way, by the time they get to working at 
the popcorn plant, they like it just fine.''
  Mr. Sieg was truly proud of his small community and felt compelled to 
become involved in any way he could. In addition to employing many 
members of his community, he was also a member of the Ramsey Lion's 
Club, the Ramsey-Spencer Grange and local Farm Bureau. He was a 
Rotarian and actively involved in local and state politics as well as 
the area schools' athletic programs. He also served as a Member of two 
Boards; the Ramsey Water Company and the North Harrison Community 
School Board.
  Mr. Sieg passed away on February 2, 2006 at the age of 74 after 
losing a battle with lung cancer. The town of Ramsey, Harrison County, 
and the state of Indiana lost a proud and prominent member of their 
community. I am privileged to have had such an outstanding Hoosier as a 
constituent and I cannot see any greater honor for a father, husband, 
community leader, employer, veteran and friend known for his dedication 
to family, faith, business and community, Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr., 
Cousin Willie than by bestowing this honor upon him.

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