[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16060]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF JIMMY AND CHRIS PURSELL WINNERS OF AUBURN 
                UNIVERSITY'S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2012

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend members 
of an outstanding family who have spent their lives building successful 
businesses and giving back to their community. Jimmy and Chris Pursell 
started Pursell Technologies, Pursell Farms and FarmLinks all located 
in or around Talladega County in Alabama.
  Jimmy Pursell grew up in Talladega, Alabama and graduated from Auburn 
University in 1952. In 1953, Jimmy married Chris Parker of Sylacauga, 
Alabama. Jimmy spent four years in the Air Force after college and then 
moved with his wife to Sylacauga to join his father-in-law in the 
fertilizer business at Parker Fertilizer.
  In 1964, Jimmy and Chris took over the business and focused mainly on 
fertilizer. In 1997, the consumer division of the company was sold and 
the remaining portion became Pursell Technologies.
  In 2001, the family established Pursell Farms, a 3,500 acre site in 
Fayetteville, Alabama and FarmLinks, an 18-hole golf course and 
nursery. FarmLinks has been the number one public course in Alabama and 
attracts visitors from all over.
  The Pursells have three children--Taylor, Chris and David--who have 
all worked for their company at some point. The Pursells have created 
over 250 local jobs and run their company with Christian values. The 
Pursells also have supported local schools and their community and 
created three student programs at Auburn University.
  On December 3rd, the Pursell family will travel to a special event 
held at the United Nations in New York City to be awarded this 
prestigious honor by Sylacauga native Jim Nabors.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the Pursell family and 
thank Auburn University for educating outstanding students and citizens 
such as the Pursells.

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