Gilbert Gutknecht: “I rise today as a proud lifetime Member of the National Auctioneers Association. We want to recognize today National…”

“I rise today as a proud lifetime Member of the National Auctioneers Association. We want to recognize today National Auctioneers Day, which takes place annually on the third Saturday of April. This year it fell on April 19. And I suppose some of my colleagues are wondering can he really do that? Yes, I do a lot of auctions even today: ``And now 35, I'll give you 40, now 5. Anybody bid 45? I'll give you 50.'' I have had the privilege of auctioneering events to raise money for the American Cancer Society, the Boys and Girls Club, Safari Club, Ducks Unlimited, the list goes on and on. As a matter of fact, since I was elected to Congress, I have raised almost $2 million for charity. Every year billions of dollars are poured into our economy from auctions of estates, of vehicles, thoroughbred horses, antiques and other goods. And auctions of homes and other real estate are increasingly more important as more and more realtors and homeowners see the advantages of selling by auction as their first choice. On Auctioneer's Day this year, auctioneers across the country held a special fund-raiser for the Saint Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, the chosen charity of the National Auctioneers Association. Auctioneers are generous and patriotic Americans, and I rise to salute their contributions to our great country.”