Vito Fossella: “The story of Alvin Conklin and his idea of opening up a small lumber shop on Staten Island represents one man's hope of…”

“The story of Alvin Conklin and his idea of opening up a small lumber shop on Staten Island represents one man's hope of securing the American dream for himself and his family. Established in 1888, Farrell Lumber remains a family-owned and family-operated business in its truest sense. For 112 years, Alvin Conklin and then Harry Farrell and his wife, and today, their children, Bob and Don, and grandchildren all helped make Farrell Lumber a thriving small business with an impeccable reputation for quality and service. However, the estate tax threatens their small business much like it threatens so many small businesses in America today. For the Farrells, the estate tax could potentially confiscate the valuable family business and, worse, strip the Farrells of their dream to pass it on to their children and grandchildren. It is evident that the death tax discourages savings and investment and entrepreneurship and punishes families like the Farrells who work 7 days a week, 15-hour days to grow and expand their business. Repealing the estate tax would ensure economic fairness for all Americans, while encouraging expanded growth and prosperity for our country as a whole.”