[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6723]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING CENTRAL PLUMBING CO.

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, small businesses have the unique 
opportunity to train skilled workers and create well-paying jobs for 
members of their communities, while also providing necessary services 
with quality customer service. These apprenticeship programs are 
becoming increasingly useful to add highly-skilled workers to the 
general workforce. In recognition of their contribution, this week's 
Small Business of the Week is Central Plumbing Co. of Baton Rouge, La.
  Founded in 1974 by the Payne family, Central Plumbing began serving 
the Baton Rouge area with one truck and a commitment to quality 
plumbing service. In the more than 40 years since, the Payne family has 
grown their business into a 40-employee operation, operating 20 trucks 
across the Southern Louisiana region. Today, fourth generation Master 
Plumber Jay Payne oversees operations of the business, continuing their 
commitment to providing the highest level service in residential and 
commercial plumbing.
  Central Plumbing's commitment to service does not stop with their 
customers. With generations of Paynes joining the family business, the 
company realized the need for an organized program to train the next 
generation of Master Plumbers. Central Plumbing apprenticeship program 
offers the opportunity to learn the trade through paid, hands-on 
training and support. Programs like this can often serve as an 
alternative for individuals who do not pursue higher education. 
Apprenticeship programs are beneficial opportunities to pave the way 
for folks to become experts in a highly specialized field and get paid 
accordingly, and also provide a certain amount of security for 
sustained future of the industry and the small businesses who 
administer them.
  Congratulations again to Small Business of the Week--Central Plumbing 
Co. Thank you for your decades of service and ongoing commitment to 
create good quality, high-paying jobs and to train the next generation 
of Louisianians to be Master Plumbers.

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