It was very eloquent, but I sat there, I looked at that letter (off and on) for a couple of years. ... He was chairman of the Transportation Committee and he'd never let us get (the resolution) to the floor.

I look forward to getting more and more involved with them. I hope I'll be able to contribute some concepts.

He (Johnson) ended up getting me into several doors I had never gotten into and really single-handedly got Congressman John Shimkus, R-Ill., behind this. (Rep. Ray) LaHood, R-Peoria, was always behind us. They really got us through the red tape and got us on the floor and it was a unanimous vote.

Our heads got turned when we sat down and talked about what they could do for our business.

I was a chunky little kid, and when they sat me in that wagon, it tipped backward and I banged my head on the (concrete) floor. I was howling pretty good, but Dad went outside and cried his eyes out.

It just sat up there for a minute, but then it fell off.