Recognizing R.J. Corman Railroad Group

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, from the early days of the steam- powered locomotive to the modern era's high-speed rail, Kentucky's railroads have been at the heart of our Commonwealth's growth and development. Though railways are no longer our primary mode of transportation, they remain an essential ingredient of Kentucky's economic success, transporting the goods and resources that power our lives. The R.J. Corman Railroad Group, stationed out of central Kentucky, has been a driving force in propelling the rail industry forward. Today, I would like to recognize this organization's contributions to our Commonwealth on its 50th anniversary.

The story of this Kentucky railroad empire begins in 1973 with my good friend and Nicholasville native, Mr. Rick Corman. It was just after high school when Rick founded his first business venture, R.J. Corman Railroad Construction, and, like its founder, the company hailed from humble beginnings.

At 18 years old, Rick started out making track repairs for major railroads equipped with nothing more than a backhoe and a red dump truck. Thanks to his tireless work ethic and shrewd instincts, Rick grew his humble operation into what is now the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, a diversified portfolio of railroad companies. Rick would grow his business across 23 States, employ over 1,600 workers, and expand into a host of verticals that ranged from short-line railroad operations to emergency and natural disaster response.

Amid some of our country's most horrific floods, blizzards, and hurricanes, Rick's team was on the ground to assist in recovery and cleanup efforts. When Hurricane Katrina struck the central Gulf and devastated railroad infrastructure across the South, Rick mobilized his emergency response crew to repair railways in record time.

In his personal life, Rick and his company were avid donors to St. Joseph Hospital in Jessamine County, so much so that the hospital recognized Rick as its largest philanthropic donor. The hospital established the R.J. Corman Ambulatory Care Center in 2008, which continues to serve the community of Nicholasville to this day.

Tragically, the company lost its seemingly unstoppable founder 10 years ago to a hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. Rick was just 58. Despite his cancer diagnosis, Rick would continue to enjoy life, travel the world, and even run the Boston Marathon. To this day, his infectious laugh, warm demeanor, and irresistible spirit for life are deeply missed by his family and loved ones. In honor of Rick, the company and its employees contribute to the Richard J. Corman Multiple Myeloma Fund each year, which helps support research work at Harvard's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Despite losing its torchbearer, the company and Rick's legacy prevailed. R.J. Corman continues to operate as one of the leading railroad service providers in the U.S., serving all seven major railroads in North America. Most recently, the company added a 19th railroad to its wide-spanning portfolio. R.J. Corman's iconic red train cars are an unmistakable fixture of central Kentucky, and the company's impact on our Commonwealth continues to extend beyond its railway business.

The company remains a worthy custodian of Rick's name and his legacy of generosity, compassion, and hard work. I am proud to honor this classic American success story and celebrate its many contributions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in recognizing R.J. Corman Railroad Group for 50 outstanding years.

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