PAUL NORRIS FOR US CONGRESS
From: John Geiger SE Sales Rep for Trinity Industries Dallas, Texas

I have come to find out my favorite customer and good friend Paul Norris is running for the United States Congress for the Great State of South Carolina. If anyone represents what a true politician should be and represent the citizens of South Carolina---Paul Norris is your MAN!!!!!!!!!!
I have known Paul since 1998. I sold propane tanks to his company Southeastern Energy Partners for 10 years and have found Paul to be up front and honest in all his business dealings. Along the way I have developed a true friendship with Paul and his wonderful wife Melinda. I have also been able to socialize with Paul, Melinda and their 2 children Joshua and Jasmine at the various South Carolina Propane Conventions usually held in Myrtle Bch. You can tell a lot about a family by seeing how much they love their children and to see how well mannered they are. It is still “Yes Sir and No Sir in the Norris family.
If I lived in the Great State of South Carolina---Paul Norris would get my vote. I am so proud to be a friend of Paul’s and can see Paul making a great name for himself in Congress. Paul truly cares about his fellowman and will make a difference in the future of our country..

Sincerely
John A. Geiger

To Whom It May Concern:

My wife, daughter and I really got to know Paul, Melinda, Joshua, and Jasmine Norris on a personal level when we moved to Summerville, SC in 2005.  They were one of the first families that really took us under their wing when we came here from Pittsburgh, PA.

I knew in advance from my father that we would enjoy getting to know the Norris family.  Paul and Melinda had already dealt with Vision Financial Group, Inc. (a company specializing in equipment leasing & finance started by my father in 1991), for many years prior to us making the move to the Palmetto State.

Since 2005, in addition to developing a friendship with Paul, I have been directly involved in the business dealings between Vision Financial and Southeastern Energy Partners, LLC.

I admire Paul for the following reasons:

He has always done exactly what he has said he will do.
He works hard and is a very effective and successful business owner and manager (although he will tell you that he’s an engineer before he tells you he’s a businessman.)
At 40+ he’s well experienced; yet still youthful, healthy and motivated enough to represent us for many years to come.
He is not a braggart.  In fact, he is pretty soft spoken.
He is level headed and lives a modest life well below his means.
I believe that he is courageous enough to make difficult decisions when it is time to be decisive.
I believe he is running for Congress because he views political office as service to others and he’s tired of politicians not solving problems.  I don’t believe he is running for Congress because he is on a personal power trip or seeking special recognition for its own sake.

On a personal basis, I have had the great honor to serve our country in the US Army.  The GI Bill helped put me through college.  I am fortunate to have started and managed my own businesses.  I have lived in multiple foreign countries (both as a soldier and as a civilian) and am very well traveled.  I believe my background demonstrates that I have the ability to appreciate the significance of America’s unique position as the leader of the free world in both military might and economic strength.  I also recognize the competitive forces coming at us from all angles that are challenging our global leadership. 

As an adopted South Carolinian, I also see problems on the local level.  I am proud to have graduated in the 2007 class for Palmetto Leadership Dorchester (which does an excellent job of instilling the need for community service and making us all aware that there are people in need right in our own back yard.)  Way too often, the citizens of our State are victims of senseless violent crimes.  Our public education system is a mess (as evidenced by poor test scores and high drop-out rates: which are so abysmal the situation should be labeled as an epidemic).  It saddens me that generations of families are trapped in poverty.  For so many of the “have not’s,” there seems to be little or no hope.

This is a pivotal time in our Nation’s history.  We are blessed with so many technological advances that, for some of us, life just gets better and better.  However, too many of us are still food poor and we don’t feel safe in our own homes.  Our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen are fighting multiple wars on multiple fronts.  They make the ultimate sacrifice everyday to ensure our safety and that America remains strong.  Yet, there are still chinks in our armor that we need to address.

Too many teachers (that my wife and I know personally) tell us stories all too often about having to keep snacks in their desks at school because students haven’t eaten at home.  In America, the most prosperous Nation in history, we shouldn’t have anyone going to bed hungry at night – especially kids.  Why should a gallon of milk cost more than a pack of cigarettes in South Carolina?  Why can’t we make sure that every child is fed and cared for when our Federal government has a history of paying farmers to not grow food?

I export cleaning equipment for a living.  I’m also in the commercial equipment lending and leasing business.  I understand hard work and I have been blessed with great opportunities.  I know for a fact that we have manufacturers in South Carolina who simply can’t find enough skilled labor to meet their needs.  These companies are “chomping at the bit” to find qualified workers; yet, we still can’t keep our kids motivated to stay in school (so they can be trained to take advantage of the opportunities staring them in the face) and we can’t keep them away from drugs, alcohol and guns.  On top of that, we argue internally against whether or not we should allow foreigners to work and contribute to our society.

Somehow there is a major disconnect in our society between what is happening and what should be happening on very basic levels.  Frankly, it all-too-often just doesn’t make sense.  We are doing a serious injustice to our kids by not providing them with the atmosphere, motivation, and real opportunities to understand that crime and drugs are only tickets to young deaths or long lives in prison.  The American Dream doesn’t have to die.

I’m not naïve enough to believe that Paul Norris has every answer for every problem (No one person can make all the wrongs right).  Personally, I know I won’t agree with Paul on every single issue.  That is acceptable, because I know we will be getting a strong leader with backbone in Paul Norris.  I know Paul is a strong man who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right. 

We need to hold our representatives to the highest moral and ethical standards.  Our elected officials need to be strong, proactive (both socially and economically), and have the vision and desire to ensure that America is the best place in the world to live and that all of our citizens have the opportunity to achieve safe, healthy, and productive lives.

I don’t envy anyone who runs for political office.  In our digital age there are no secrets.  Those in the public eye are constantly being put under a microscope (I never met Britney Spears, but I know from Google that she had a burger and fries for dinner).

I know Paul personally and I find him to be a man of integrity.  He will pass the test of any inquiries that would question or test his ethics and integrity.  I think anyone who already knows Paul, or has the opportunity to personally get to know Paul, would feel the same.  I believe he has the personal strength, desire and morals to put service for others above self.  Paul Norris will be an excellent Congressman representing the 1st district of South Carolina.

William P. Summers
Summerville, South Carolina
Managing Director, Meriwether-Clark Corp. d/b/a Kaivac International
Director & Vice President, Vision Financial Group, Inc.
Current Student, University of South Carolina PMBA Program
Regards,
Bill
William P. Summers
Vision Financial Group, Inc.
238 Brandywine Drive
Summerville, SC  29485 USA

February 15, 2008

To whom it may concern:

I first met Paul and Melinda Norris in 1999 via telephone to discuss equipment financing for their new company, Love Propane. Having started my own equipment leasing and financing company on January 9th, 1991 I was excited to find a prospect with similar background, that is, working for  a large company, having excellent experience who was determined to grow a successful company based upon integrity, responsive service, and competitive prices.

For close to twenty years, we have consummated business on an annual basis, spent some time with Paul socially and will confirm this man is a winner and  a man of the highest integrity.

 For a person to sacrifice their career, to run for office after being a successful business, I am willing to support his efforts from a state away. It time for his friends to reach in the pocket to show a little “LOVE” in return!!

Frederick S. Summers
Chairman & CEO
Vision Financial Group, Inc.
336 Reynolds Dr
Eatonton, GA 31024

02/18/08
Who is Paul Norris?

I first met Paul in 1985 while we were attending USC. Paul found the time and energy to excel in mechanical engineering classes, work part time in a steel mill and participate in intramural sports.
Paul and I were accused of being brothers since we spent so much time together. We were in the same classes, played on the same teams and then studied together in the Thomas Cooper Library until it closed. I achieved my mechanical engineering degree in large part due to Paul’s guidance in helping me understand how to relate class theory to the real world. The major highlight was our senior project. We designed, purchased and built an ultra-light wheel chair for a handicapped child with deformed hands shaped backwards. We were able to deliver the chair and watch the child use it masterfully. Paul and I both had tears in our eyes.
As our college careers entered the latter stages, Paul and I both worked for a local utility company, SCE&G. I worked on the electric side for power plant generation. Paul worked on the gas side. We both were able to better appreciate our classes as we got to see the real world applications. As we graduated, Paul continued with SCE&G while I entered the paper industry prior to returning to SCE&G in 2001.
While Paul and I have been separate geographically for a number of years, we have maintained our family’s friendships. Paul and his family have seen me through a divorce, single parenthood with sole custody of four young children, remarriage and now blended family issues. Paul has been available for me and my family 24/7 for over 20 years now. I would trust Paul fully with any of my family members.
I am encouraged that Paul is willing to make a difference as a US Congressman. I was initially surprised when Paul told me of his plans. However, I have seen Paul overcome seemingly insurmountable odds numerous times over the past 20 years. When Paul wins the seat in November, I will add this accomplishment to the list.

Sincerely,

Charles B. Fulmer
Economic Resource Planner

February 28, 2008

Dear Paul,

I am proud of you for stepping out and taking this on. I am sure it is an uphill battle, but I hope it is a fight you win. I agree completely with you that it is time (has been time) for ethical, intelligent business people with problem solving skills to take charge in the State House and Washington. Good luck.

Sincerely,
Tucker Perkins

March 20, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

It gives me great pleasure to endors e and support Paul Norris in his efforts to take on the challenges we face as a state and nation.

Paul and I worked together in the energy industry for approximately 7 years and I have known Paul and his family for 18 years. Paul is a Christian and a devoted family man. He is an astute business entrepreneur and a man of integrity. He has expressed to me his ideas for making sure our children and grandchildren are able to live in a country where they are safe, secure, and have the opportunity to excel and compete. I am totally confident in his ability to not only articulate his ideas but also to lead the effort and compete. I am totally confident in his ability to not only articulate his ideas but also to lead the effort to implement them. He is a results oriented person and is not afraid to take a stand on issues.

Our energy situation in the United States is a mess. If we do not undertake a methodical business-like approach toward solving the many problems we have now and those we face in the not-to-distant future, our country will no longer be able to compete. Paul brings to the table an abundance of experience in the energy industry and understands the issues. He does not attempt to solve a problem with a knee-jerk reaction.

Paul also understands the business issues facing corporate America whether it is a large corporation or a small business entity. He worked in the corporate world which is where we first met and worked together. He excelled at every phase of the business. He has first-hand experience with small business having started and owned two successful energy based companies.

I have lived in South Carolina all my life although I do not reside in SC House District 1. If I did, Paul would have my vote!

Charles A. Rampey, P.E.
President
Palmetto Energy Solutions, LLC
Blythewood, SC

April 6, 2007

To whom it may concern:

My name is Carl Allen and I am the group benefits broker for Southeastern Energy Partners, LLC., one of Paul Norris’ businesses.

I have know Paul for about two years now, and in that time have come to respect him very much. In all of our dealings regarding health and dental insurance, Paul has put the interests of his employees way above his own. He has actually ended up paying more for a health plan, because it was better for a minority of his employees. The plan was actually worse for Paul and his family. I have dealt with very few employers that would do that in my eighteen years in this business.

I believe that using his principles and good judgment, Paul will be an excellent choice to lead our government. I agree with him on many stances, especially term limits for our congress.

Thank you for your time and support.

With best regards,

Carl M. Allen, III