Commending Charles E. "Chuck" Frank

COMMENDING CHARLES E. "CHUCK" FRANK

Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I wish to offer praise of Charles E. "Chuck" Frank of Chicago, IL, for his ongoing efforts to improve our environment. Mr. Frank's stance on environmental issues deserves particular commendation because in addition to being an active supporter of the environment, he is in the business of selling cars and trucks at one of the Chicago area's largest car dealerships, which was founded by his legendary father, "Z" Frank.

Mr. Frank's love for the outdoors started in the early years of his life when he spent hours camping, fishing, and pursuing other activities immersed in nature. His love and respect for the environment did not stop with childhood. Mr. Frank has made a personal and professional commitment to protect the environment that he so loved to ensure that future generations will be able to experience the same natural wonders that he was able to. This commitment led Mr. Frank to join the Sierra Club in 1975, and now he is a lifetime member and Vice President of the Sierra Club Foundation.

Mr. Frank has demonstrated his commitment to the environment he loves by working with the Sierra Club to secure a significant increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. Offering a unique perspective from inside the automobile industry, he believes the current CAFE standards of 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and 20.7 miles per gallon for trucks are standards the fail to meet consumers' demands both for more cost-effective vehicles and solutions to the worsening problems of air pollution and global warming. He believes the technology in his industry can surpass the current standards, and believes that an increase to 40 miles per gallon for cars and 27.5 miles per gallon for trucks is entirely possible. Mr. Frank strongly advocates increasing the CAFE standards to these proposed levels to ensure stronger customer satisfaction and improved environmental conditions.

Mr. Frank has termed his business, "The Country's #1 Conscientious Chevy Dealer," In Mr. Frank's case, this slogan goes beyond simple rhetoric and is absolutely true of his approach to his business. Mr. Frank believes so strongly in the need for an increase in the CAFE that he has pledged part of his business profits to the Sierra Club Clean Air Campaign. He is currently running advertisements in the Chicago area that detail the need for a raise in the CAFE standards and offer consumers an opportunity to have Mr. Frank's car dealership donate $200 to the Sierra Club for each car or truck sold. I commend Mr. Frank for demonstrating that issues that affect our Nation's public health and environment are just as important as the bottom line.

The tireless work that Chuck Frank has done as a champion of the environment and as a manager in the automobile industry should be an inspiration for us all to enact legislation to raise the CAFE standards. Mr. Frank's unique position demonstrates that business and environmental issues can go hand-in-hand. I thank Chuck Frank for his unwavering support for consumers of this country and the environment, and I am confident that his work will help move us toward the increase in CAFE standards that is so needed in this country.