[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOHN OLIVER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute 
to John Oliver, an outstanding American citizen who has shown 
commitment and service to his hometown of Plymouth, Indiana, our State, 
and our country.
  A native of Newcastle in the United Kingdom, 50 years ago this month. 
John immigrated to the United States on March 19, 1962, when he was 
only 19. In 1975, he officially became a United States citizen. He is a 
dear friend, not only to me, but to people all around the country and 
around the world.
  He began his journey in the manufacturing industry as a laborer for a 
small research and development firm. He moved to Plymouth, Indiana, to 
work for that company, ultimately becoming its president in 1977. Nine 
years later, John purchased the company and renamed it U.S. Granules, 
which today produces 50 percent of the world's granulated aluminum. 
With his leadership, U.S. Granules remains a leader in technology and 
in quality, and they have established customers on five different 
continents.
  John's heart and soul, though, is with his family, his friends, and 
his service to his community. He has been a pillar of support for the 
children of Plymouth. Quietly, and without recognition, John endowed a 
fund to benefit the Plymouth High School speech team, a State leader in 
debate competition.
  To further advance the strength of local schools, John has made 
donation after donation to help with the purchase of books for school 
libraries, leadership seminars for students, and the expansion of 
scholarship and other award programs. In addition, John maintains an 
intern program at U.S. Granules, and it provides work experience and 
scholarship assistance and a chance for our children to succeed and for 
their dreams to come true.
  John has also been a supporter of youth baseball, in particular, 
American Legion Post 27, and he has also extended his support to the 
Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. When he was inducted into the Indiana 
Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009, he humbly, as he always did, reminded 
everyone that his contributions were dedicated to his community's youth 
and to their future and that it was not about him.
  John has also been an active board member of the Saint Joseph 
Regional Medical Center, where his work has helped provide vital health 
care for an entire region. He is a former director of the Indiana 
Manufacturing Association, the Marshall County Industrial Association, 
and the Plymouth Industrial Development Company. He has served as 
fundraising drive chairman for the Marshall County United Way and the 
Plymouth emergency vehicle fund.
  John has also served in the United States Army Reserves. He 
exemplifies the promise and the spirit of America, that with hard work, 
determination, and love of country you can accomplish anything.
  On behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second District, I would like 
to salute John's character, his personal achievements, and his 
contributions to our community.
  We are very lucky to have been touched by you, John, and for our 
lives to have been changed by you. Happy 50th anniversary as an 
American citizen. God bless you, and God bless the United States of 
America.

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