[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E434-E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF AFLAC, INC. BEING NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES IN 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
commend a company that has made Columbus, GA, the Second Congressional 
District of Georgia and the United States proud. Aflac, Inc., a company 
that epitomizes corporate citizenship and responsibility towards its 
employees, recently was named by Forbes magazine to their Platinum 400 
List of America's Best Big Companies.
  To create the list, Forbes looked at more than 1,000 publicly traded 
companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, and chose 400 based on 
metrics, earnings forecasts, corporate governance ratings, and other 
public company information. Of course, Forbes selected these companies 
not just for their financial performance, but also for their 
leadership, innovation, and execution.

[[Page E435]]

  Founded in downtown Columbus, GA, in 1955 by brothers John, Paul and 
Bill Amos, the American Family Life Insurance Company ended its first 
year with 6,426 policyholders and $388,000 in assets. Today, Aflac has 
over $56 billion in assets and insures 40 million people worldwide. 
Additionally, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable 
insurance in the United States.
  As it has gained respect around the world, Aflac has been an asset to 
my district, providing 3,800 employees in our area with good jobs and a 
positive work environment. In addition to this year's award from 
Forbes, Aflac has received many others, including being named among 
Fortune magazine's ``Best Places to Work'' for 9 years running, as one 
of the ``Best Companies for Diversity'' by Black Enterprise magazine, 
and among the ``100 Best Companies for Working Mothers'' by Working 
Mother magazine.
  Aflac also makes significant contributions to the community, 
including a gift of nearly $34 million to the Aflac Cancer Center and 
Blood Disorders Service at Children's HealthCare in Atlanta.
  Indeed, I am proud to have this company in my district. Please join 
me in congratulating Aflac and its 69,000 U.S.-based agents on 
receiving this award.

                          ____________________