[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26935]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUTDOOR VENTURES CORPORATION

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                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a 
company helping our people here at home, our troops at war, and the 
community in which they are based.
  For decades, companies in my Fifth Congressional District were 
primarily logging and coal mining. Many still are, and their employees 
are very hard workers, and these are worthy industries on which our 
Nation relies. However, after the trees are harvested and the coal is 
mined, these companies go elsewhere and with them our employment 
opportunities. So it's not surprising that people over the years packed 
up and moved to places like Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana in search of a 
career and a future. I was one of those people.
  One of the things we're trying to do in our district is attract 
companies that don't depend on our natural resources, but rather employ 
our hard workers and innovate and improve their products so that they 
can compete anywhere in the world. We could fix all of mankind's 
problems, and it won't mean a thing if people don't have a place to 
work. Good companies make good communities.
  I want to recognize one such company, Outdoor Ventures Corporation, 
which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary and is located in 
Steams, KY.
  Outdoor Ventures Corporation's 180 employees make specialized tents 
for the military. For our troops overseas, those tents are home. Like 
most products these days, what sounds simple is not. These tents 
require precision engineering and manufacturing techniques perfected 
over 3 decades.
  Company President J.C. Egnew's dedication to civic life goes far 
beyond business, however. In his hometown community he was instrumental 
in creating its first public park, the first library and expanding our 
local community college. And, he keeps a tourist attraction going 
strong--the Big South Fork Scenic Railway, where visitors can take a 
16-mile round trip ride on the 100-year-old Kentucky and Tennessee 
Railway.
  I am proud to have this company in my district. And, I'm proud to 
know, Mr. J.C. Egnew who runs it. His company is built to last and our 
community is a better place to live as a result.

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