Floor Statements

Mr. President, too often we think of business owners as only being concerned with profit. However, countless enterprises have been started based on an idea or a goal to solve a problem or to improve peoples' lives, and often times this is inspired by a need of someone close. It is a privilege to recognize such a company, Idaho's own Best Bath Systems, Inc.

Gary Multanen founded Best Bath Systems in 1971 with the goal of designing and producing baths and showers to help those with special needs. Mr. Multanen was especially motivated to find a solution to his mother's difficulty in using conventional tubs. Over the years, Best Bath Systems has created improvements for nearly every conceivable part of a shower or tub, and has been a leader for walk-in tub design.

It is one thing to tout Mr. Multanen as being an innovator, but the real proof is in the demand from bath product sellers across the country. With $20 million in sales last year to a network of 490 dealers across North America, Best Bath Systems has clearly earned a reputation for quality. In addition to making bath products that help people meet their basic needs, Best Bath Systems also does well by their employees, providing a profit-sharing program.

The Small Business Administration recognized Best Bath Systems' impressive track record and named Mr. Multanen and his family the 2014 Idaho Small Business Person of the Year and is sharing their accomplishments at the National Small Business Week events being held this week in Washington. This award celebrates their continued sales growth, superior customer service, and commitment to their community.

Best Bath Systems has been an active fixture in the Caldwell and Boise communities for a long time with Mr. Multanen serving on the boards of Boise City Parks & Recreation and the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council. In addition, since 2000, Best Bath Systems has a built robust relationship with the Idaho Small Business Development Center, SBDC, where Mr. Multanen currently serves as the chairman of the advisory council and uses his business' success story with the SBDC to motivate other Idaho entrepreneurs. Concern for the environment is also part of Best Bath Systems' community commitment. Best Bath Systems' 106,000 square foot facility in Caldwell, ID uses just 28 percent of their Federal emissions allowance, and they have promoted similar standards for the industry through their trade association, which Mr. Multanen co-founded.

I wish to congratulate Mr. Multanen on being named the 2014 Idaho Small Business Person of the Year and everyone at Best Bath Systems for their 43 years of sales, innovation, and bettering the quality of life for many.

Mr. President, Senator Crapo and I would like to introduce the Youth Careers in Logging Act. Small family logging companies, much like family farms, rely on younger family members to help make their companies successful. The agriculture industry enjoys exemptions from child labor laws to allow for family members to learn the trade and carry on the family business. This bill will provide those same benefits for the logging industry.

The logging industry is struggling to recruit young employees. This industry, like many others, has an aging work force that will soon retire. Modern mechanized machinery opens up opportunities for a new tech-savvy generation of loggers if we give them the chance.

There are 400 independent logging contractor businesses in Idaho, most of which are family owned and operated. Current labor laws do not allow the children of these family owned businesses to work and learn in the same profession as their parents.

Should the Youth Careers in Logging Act be enacted, starting at the age of 16 young adults will be allowed to operate safe and modern machinery. These young loggers will help Idaho and the country to create healthy, fire resilient forests and bring much needed natural resources into our marketplace to help make paper and build homes.

By passing this legislation, Congress can help young adults earn good wages through hard work in the great outdoors that will create a generation of young Americans that understand the value of a great work ethic.

Mr. President, Senator Crapo and I would like to introduce the Youth Careers in Logging Act. Small family logging companies, much like family farms, rely on younger family members to help make their companies successful. The agriculture industry enjoys exemptions from child labor laws to allow for family members to learn the trade and carry on the family business. This bill will provide those same benefits for the logging industry.

The logging industry is struggling to recruit young employees. This industry, like many others, has an aging work force that will soon retire. Modern mechanized machinery opens up opportunities for a new tech-savvy generation of loggers if we give them the chance.

There are 400 independent logging contractor businesses in Idaho, most of which are family owned and operated. Current labor laws do not allow the children of these family owned businesses to work and learn in the same profession as their parents.

Should the Youth Careers in Logging Act be enacted, starting at the age of 16 young adults will be allowed to operate safe and modern machinery. These young loggers will help Idaho and the country to create healthy, fire resilient forests and bring much needed natural resources into our marketplace to help make paper and build homes.

By passing this legislation, Congress can help young adults earn good wages through hard work in the great outdoors that will create a generation of young Americans that understand the value of a great work ethic.

Mr. President, my home State of Idaho is blessed with abundance of natural beauty. Idaho natives and visitors from all over the world enjoy the beauty, the peace, and the excitement of the lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that cover over 800 square miles of my State. With summer fast approaching, the minds of many Idahoans are turning to a pastime thousands of years old: fishing. When anglers want to get serious about snagging a steelhead, they turn to the professionals. With that in mind, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Anglers Habitat, located in Caldwell, ID.

Owned by Wayne Johnson, Anglers Habitat has been selling a wide variety of fishing and outdoors gear since 1994. Mr. Johnson and his employees are careful to only stock the best, most reliable fishing tools. From rods and reels to dog beds, they offer hundreds of items from dozens of product lines. The selection is so good, many of their customers hail from outside the United States. Trust me, the folks at Anglers Habitat know what they are doing. At 5,760 square feet, theirs is the largest fly fishing store in the region.

Anglers Habitat goes the extra mile to make sure that customers find what they need. Their products are available for purchase in person at their flagship location, on the official company Web site or through their eBay site. Anglers Habitat also offers a trade-in program where customers can bring in used equipment that still in working condition in exchange for a discount on newer items. Not only does this create a good deal for the customer, but it also reduces waste and recycles still useable equipment.

Good service is also integral to the success of Anglers Habitat. Expanding customer knowledge is something they take seriously. Through their YouTube channel, the company promotes products and provides product reviews so that consumers may make an informed decision while shopping for equipment. They also offer free Saturday clinics on how to build a custom rod. High-end equipment can cost hundreds of dollars, and it is important to know how to best take advantage of modern fishing technology.

My home State of Idaho is blessed to be home to so much natural splendor and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. Companies like Anglers Habitat recognize this beauty and provide a way for countless others to enjoy a pastime to which we Idahoans are already so accustomed. As we celebrate National Small Business Week, I want to congratulate Mr. Johnson and the team at Anglers Habitat on their two decades of achievement and wish them continued success in the future.

Mr. President, this week we celebrate National Small Business Week, which pays tribute our Nation's many small business owners and entrepreneurs. I wish to recognize a small business in my home State of Idaho that provides an invaluable service. There is something special about businesses that dedicate themselves to providing and improving life-saving equipment. Search and rescue teams, first responders, and emergency medical technicians hold a high standard for what they will purchase, because there is no margin for error. It gives me great pleasure to honor Cascade Rescue Company of Sandpoint, ID.

In 1962, Victor Bradley was volunteering his time to help injured skiers in Washington State. Pulling someone on the toboggans in use in the 1960s was incredibly strenuous, especially if several people needed help. Mr. Bradley knew that there must be a better design. Mr. Bradley spent several years designing and improving sleds, until in 1966 he decided to start the Cascade Toboggan & Rescue Equipment Company.

Mr. Bradley and his son Robert obtained a patent for their design and began selling toboggans to rescue professionals throughout the region. Orders grew exponentially, especially after a demonstration at Lake Placid drew national attention. Robert Bradley took the reins from his father in the early 1970s, and helped develop Cascade Toboggan into an internationally respected brand.

Ownership later transitioned to Dana and Susan Jordan, relatives of the Bradleys, who are the current owners and operators. To better fit the over 150 products being provided, they renamed the business Cascade Rescue Company, which is based in Sandpoint, ID. Today, the company provides rescue equipment across America and to 23 other countries.

So often, we measure success in terms of dollars and cents. While Cascade Rescue Company has a strong bottom line, they can also be proud of having been a vital component of countless life-saving responses. Ski patrols, firefighters, and medical technicians rely on Cascade products every day to safely and effectively do their jobs. I congratulate Cascade Rescue Company for nearly 50 years of growth, dedication, and service and wish them well in the future.

Mr. President, thousands of American businesses stem from simple ideas that are born in the living rooms, backyards, and garages of ambitious entrepreneurs. From humble beginnings, businesses mature to reach new customers and broader regions. I wish to recognize Bullet Tools, a small family owned business from my home State of Idaho, whose originality and hard work grew into a global success in a distinctive market.

In 1998, Bullet Tools started as a family operated assembly line in Dalen and Mary Gunn's double-wide mobile home in Hayden, ID. The words, ``It can't be done,'' fueled Mr. Gunn's determination to work through any obstacle. Seeking to advance the construction industry, Mr. Gunn discovered an enhanced method of installing flooring without the challenges associated with electricity, dust and constantly moving in and out of buildings.

Today, Bullet Tools is recognized as a world leading expert in fixed- blade cutting tools for the construction industry. The company has earned a worldwide reputation and serves an international market with unique custom installation needs. Fifty percent of its sales are exported to markets abroad, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom with an expectation for further growth in other international markets.

Bullet Tools has grown more than 300 percent over the past 5 years. In 2012, Dalen and Mary Gunn's son-in-law, Ben Toews, became president of the company. Mr. Toews' business expertise has allowed Bullet Tools to streamline its product lines and build upon existing manufacturing relationships, while Mr. Gunn continues to focus his energy on researching and developing new products. Today, Bullet Tools boosts over 70 products that may be found both in store and online at Home Depot and other retail distributors across the globe.

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Gunn and Mr. Toews at their facility in Hayden, ID, with my colleague on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, chair Maria Cantwell. I was impressed by the company's strong commitment to its 25 employees and the greater Idaho community. Because of the team's dedication and the business's achievements, it is not surprising that the company has received various awards and endorsements. For example, Bullet Tools was selected as the recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2009 Northwest Small Business Administration Exporter of the Year Award, the 2010 Green Products Award by Building Products Magazine, the 2013 Pro Tool Innovation Award, and the Gold Hammer Award from Carpenter Magazine. In 2013, Ben Toews was individually recognized as one of North Idaho Business Journal's 30 Under 40 for his ongoing commitment to excellence as an executive setting the pace for outstanding achievement through his integrity and character.

Today, the Gunn's original mobile home continues to welcome visitors to the Bullet Tools' corporate office and manufacturing location, reminding us that with hard work and dedication, the American dream may be achieved in our own backyard. I congratulate the Gunn family and everyone at Bullet Tools on their continued prosperity, strong work ethic, and outstanding reputation for excellence. Bullet Tools epitomizes the finest characteristics of American innovation and is a tribute to both Idaho and the Nation.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished Idahoan, Marcia H. Ogilvie, a loyal and steadfast mayor of Sandpoint, ID.

On January 8 of this year Mayor Ogilvie lost a valiant battle with cancer, and my State lost a good friend, a champion for women and children, and a tireless public servant.

Mayor Ogilvie was born at March Air Force Base in southern California and moved to the great State of Idaho in 1994. In the 20 years she made Idaho her home, she distinguished herself in service to others. As she once said--and many in Sandpoint now say--she won the hearts and minds of the people in Sandpoint.

Elected mayor just 2 years ago, and having served the previous 2 years on the city council, Mayor Ogilvie leaves a giant hole in those hearts and in the broader community. The business and professional experience Mayor Ogilvie brought was wide and varied and earned her the respect of many.

Early in her career, she served in restaurant and retail management. When she and her husband Francis arrived in Sandpoint, they opened a couple of small businesses--the Candy Cottage and All Smiles, a gift shop. But Marsha Ogilvie was not just about business. She cared deeply about the health, welfare, and success of women and children.

Soon after moving to Idaho, and well before entering public service, she established Kinderhaven, a nonprofit

community organization which is dedicated to supporting children in crisis. Founded in 1996, and under the vision and compassionate care of Marsha Ogilvie, more than 1,300 children have found the all-important help they needed in times of their great distress. So important to the Sandpoint community, Kinderhaven was named the grand prize winner in the 2002 Governor's Brightest Stars Awards.

In addition, Mrs. Ogilvie, who crossed paths with many women serving as volunteers in the Sandpoint community, started Women Honoring Women. It was designed to be a one-time event, but it has evolved since 1999 into an annual event to recognize and honor women in Bonner County, ID. It recognizes women 65 or older who are working to make a difference in the lives of others, who love to learn, and who exhibit qualities of leadership.

Marsha Ogilvie recognized these qualities in others because she too possessed them--well, all but one. She was only 64 when she passed away.

If these achievements were not enough, Marsha Ogilvie joined with three friends to co-author a children's book which was just recently published. ``Gigi's Enchanted Forest'' was a way to honor the life of a mutual friend of theirs who shared their hope for and love of children and a dedication to community service.

Mayor Marsha H. Ogilvie personified a life of giving and caring. Her unparalleled legacy of hard work, reaching out to her community, and recognizing those who help others in volunteer service is indelibly etched on the hearts and minds of those she served in Sandpoint, ID, and far beyond the city limits.

May God bless her husband, her family, and the hundreds of Idahoans who will miss her passion, exuberance, and spirit of joy.

I thank the Presiding Officer and note the absence of a quorum.

Madam President, countless American businesses find their start in the living rooms, backyards, and garages of aspiring entrepreneurs. Harnessing individual creativity and work ethic, a hobby can grow into a lasting enterprise. Today I wish to recognize and commend the Camille Beckman corporation, a company from my home State of Idaho whose hard work and dedication to quality has seen growth and prosperity in a unique and thriving market.

Susan Beckman Roghani learned the value of homemade goods from her mother, who sold soaps, creams, and original art at local events. In 1986, Susan built on the work of her mother and founded the Camille Beckman cosmetics brand in Boise, ID, which uses wholesome ingredients and natural herbs to produce high-quality creams and lotions. From production and ingredients to design and marketing, every aspect of the Camille Beckman brand is produced from American-made materials and the company consistently exceeds the Federal Trade Commission's Made in the USA standard.

After relocating in 2001 to a larger facility in Eagle, ID, Camille Beckman continued to grow and expand. Today, Camille Beckman's handcrafted luxury body products are sold in over 10,000 locations across the country, along with many retailers globally. Their factory headquarters prides itself on being an energy-efficient, state-of-the- art, architecturally beautiful 105,000 square foot facility that, through their ``reduce and recycle'' production policies, consumes only around 30 percent of energy used by similarly sized facilities.

The company's positive and energetic culture has contributed tremendously to Camille Beckman's continued success. Thanks to an ongoing commitment to its workers, Camille Beckman has many employees that have been with the company since its formative years. In 1995, the Camille Beckman Foundation was formed as a way to help charities at the local, national, and international levels. From food banks to orphanages to medical care, the foundation gives money to dozens of charities in Idaho and across the world.

I congratulate Camille Beckman on their success, continued growth, and exemplary reputation for quality. Camille Beckman represents the best aspects of American craftsmanship and is a credit to both Idaho and the Nation.

Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Marsha H. Ogilvie, a loyal and steadfast mayor of Sandpoint, ID. On January, 8, 2014, Mayor Ogilvie lost a valiant battle with cancer and my State lost a good friend, a champion for women and children and a tireless public servant.

Mayor Ogilvie, who was born at March Air Force Base in Southern California, moved to the great State of Idaho in 1994. In the 20 years she made Idaho her home, she distinguished herself in service to others. As she once said, and many in Sandpoint now say, she won the hearts and minds of the people in Sandpoint.

Elected mayor just 2 years ago and having served the two previous years on the city council, Mayor Ogilvie, leaves a giant hole in those hearts and the broader community. The business and professional experience Mayor Ogilvie brought was wide and varied and earned her the respect of many. Early in her career, she served in restaurant and retail management. When she and her husband Francis arrived in Sandpoint, they opened a couple of small businesses--The Candy Cottage and the All Smiles gift shop. But Marsha Ogilvie was not just about business. She cared deeply about the health, welfare and success of women and children.

Soon after moving to Idaho and well before entering public service, she established Kinderhaven, a nonprofit community organization which is dedicated to supporting children in crisis. Founded in 1996 and under the vision and compassionate care of Marsha Ogilvie, more than 1,300 children have found the all-important help they needed in times of their greatest distress. So important to the Sandpoint community, Kinderhaven was named the grand prize winner in the 2002 Governor's Brightest Stars Awards. In addition, Mrs. Ogilvie, who crossed paths with many women serving as volunteers in the Sandpoint community, started Women Honoring Women. It was designed to be a one-time event but has evolved since 1999 into an annual event to recognize and honor women in Bonner County who are 65 or older and working to make a difference in the lives of others, who love learning and exhibit qualities of leadership. Marsha Ogilvie recognized these qualities in others because she, too, possessed them. . .well, all but one--she was only 64 when she passed away.

If these achievements were not enough, Marsha Ogilvie joined with three friends to co-author a children's book, which was just recently published. Gigi's Enchanted Forest was a way to honor the life of a mutual friend of theirs who shared their hope for and love of children and a dedication to community service.

Mayor Marsha H. Ogilvie personified a life of giving and caring. Her unparalleled legacy of hard work, reaching out to her community and recognizing those who help others in volunteer service is indelibly etched on the many hearts and minds of those she served in Sandpoint, ID, and far beyond the city limits. May God bless her husband, her family and the hundreds of Idahoans who will miss her passion, exuberance and spirit of joy.

Madam President, a small business faces a constant threat to its bottom line when the products they sell grow obsolete. Years of expertise and business relationships can be rendered meaningless without the ability to adjust in an ever changing and technologically advancing marketplace. There is no better example of adaptation than Fisher's Technology in my home State of Idaho.

Fisher's Technology was founded in Boise, ID in 1936, during the worst years of the Great Depression, as a specialty typewriter sales and repair shop. In 1985, Gary Mahn purchased the company and, since then, Fisher's Technology has expanded its inventory to become Idaho's largest office supply firm. This would not have been possible had Fisher's remained narrowly focused on typewriters. In a continuing business evolution, Mr. Mahn sold the office supply portion of the company to another local Boise company. This allowed Fisher's Technology to maintain and grow the remaining office equipment division.

Today, Fisher's Technology has four locations across Idaho, offering a variety of office hardware and software products along with IT services. After a 78 percent increase in sales revenue, topping $13 million, Fisher's was named to Inc. Magazine's 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the Nation. Fisher's has made this list four of the last 5 years, a testament to the Fisher's Technology team's hard work and commitment to customer satisfaction. At a time when America's economy has struggled to add jobs, Fisher's Technology has boosted its payroll from 46 employees in 2009 to 66 today representing a 43 percent increase in hiring.

Not only has Fisher's Technology helped businesses across Idaho meet their equipment needs, but its employees are also active members of their communities and strive to give back in any way that they can. For example, the company sponsors the Blue Cross ``Blue Cruise'' bicycle race, which benefits local charities in Idaho's Treasure Valley.

I commend everyone at Fisher's Technology on their continued growth, resilience, and determination, and wish them another 78 years of success.

Mr. President, so many of our Nation's small businesses started with nothing more than an idea and the determination to see that idea grow; to see a need and fill it. From a small backyard or garage, small businesses can become the providers of a local solution. From humble beginnings, companies grow and expand to reach new customers and broader regions. I rise today to recognize WestOne Logistics, a small business in my home State of Idaho that has quickly grown from that small, family business into one of the region's leading providers of third-party relocation services.

Founded 8 years ago by Kendra Keim, WestOne Logistics saw the need for highly efficient and reliable logistical services in our region and has striven to provide superior service to local companies. A woman- owned, family-run business, WestOne Logistics is a third-party logistics provider that works with companies to provide part or all of their supply chain management and relocation. This company exemplifies the problem solving and can-do attitude so characteristic of Idaho's small business culture. The team at WestOne Logistics, through efficiency and customization, continues to grow and expand their services. Even through the depths of this recent economic recession, the team at WestOne Logistics has seen an incredible increase in business, growing over 200 percent in revenues in the past 5 years. It is encouraging to see this level of growth in the small businesses of my home State, despite the tumultuous economic landscape.

With an eye for specifics and adaptability for new, specialized products, WestOne Logistics is able to accommodate environment sensitive products in the largest common warehouse in the State of Idaho. Their facilities offer 108,000 square feet of secured, fully sprinkled, climate-controlled space with an additional 70,000 square feet of food-grade warehouse storage space.

Not only is this team dedicated to hard work and quality in their company but they also are active in their community and are always looking for ways to give back. For example, 22 of their 35 total employees are Red Cross ``ready when the time comes'' certified in order to respond to local crises through a corporate partnership program.

WestOne Logistics is another prime example of the hard work and dedication of the small businesses of my home State. It is imperative to our national economy that businesses such as these continue to grow and thrive. I congratulate the team at WestOne Logistics on their success and wish them the best in the future.

Mr. President, every one of us can stand here and tell thousands of stories. Mine will come from a gentleman by the name of Clint W., who is a small business owner. He received notice that he wasn't grandfathered, was being cancelled as of the first of the year. His premiums went from $320 to $1,200. His deductible went from $5,000 to $12,700. He says he can't afford it, and he canceled the policy so that he could save money for future medical expenses, and he is going to stay canceled for as long as he possibly can.

What struck me about this--I didn't get a lot of letters from poor people. I didn't get a lot of letters or contacts from rich people. My contacts came from middle-class America, which is what this country is. We are a middle-class country, by and large, with a small sliver of rich people at one end and some people who are deserving of our help at the other end, but those who are primarily affected by this are the middle class of America.

My good friends on the other side tried to claim they are the party that represents the middle class of America. I don't know whether they are getting the same letters we are, but if they are, they realize they have done something horrible. They didn't do a plan to help the disadvantaged, whom the Republican Party has always helped. What they have done is a social experiment that is collectivism or socialism at its worst. It is obvious it is a failure. These things don't work.

The American people, over 200 years, built a very successful insurance system and health care system in America. In 3 years this has been destroyed. There are 44 days left to make this work. If this isn't done right, there is going to be a collapse on January 1 and the American people are going to know exactly who caused it.

Mr. President, on behalf of myself and Senator Crapo, I wish to recognize the 100-year anniversary of Northwest Nazarene University in the city of Nampa in the great State of Idaho.

On September 13, 1913, this education institution began as an elementary school--the Idaho Holiness School. With a strong and unstoppable vision for the future, the founders quickly developed it into a secondary school and then a university. Highly respected in the community and, indeed, all across the great State of Idaho and in several other States in the region, Northwest Nazarene University has conferred degrees upon thousands of college graduates since 1917.

Dr. David Alexander, who began his association with NNU as a member of the faculty and in 2008 became its 12th president, continues to carry out the early vision of growth, excellence and the Great Commission. The university offers a world-class, multi-discipline education, which now serves more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students; more than 6,000 continuing education students; and 2,300 high school students through its concurrent credit program. On its 90-acre campus in Nampa, 60 education disciplines are offered as well as 11 graduate-level programs. The university also offers programs of study in other Idaho cities including nearby Boise, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls, and works in cooperation with education programs in 10 countries.

NNU, a nonprofit Christian school, is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and is one of the premiere universities in our State. Through education and spiritual development, students become leaders in business, public service, education and in faith-based careers. At NNU, they have become students of scholarship, strong in character and robust contributors to their communities.

As Governor, Lieutenant Governor and State Senator, I have had a long and good working relationship with NNU, which I tremendously value. I mark their achievements and continued growth as terrific highlights for the Treasure Valley and the State of Idaho. Their commitment to their original vision and the foundations of their beliefs as they recognize changing times has made NNU an institution of stability and a vital resource for Idahoans.

I remember well participating in the dedication of the Thomas Family Health and Science Center, which further moves NNU into the ranks of a competitive university with state-of-the-art laboratories and researchers. In addition, I am proud to have had their participation on the Nursing Task Force, which I initiated as governor, and which continues to make a significant impact on reducing the shortage of nurses in Idaho and beyond.

For 100 years, Northwest Nazarene University has proved itself a strong asset to our community and state. It is a proverbial shining light, making a positive difference on its campus, in nearby neighborhoods and across oceans. We are very proud to have this institution serving our young people and those continually updating their skills and education. Our country stands stronger because NNU goes the extra mile, perseveres and stays the course.

May God bless Northwest Nazarene University with another 100 years of being a top-rated institution of higher learning.

Madam President, sons can learn so much from their fathers. Whether it is changing a tire, throwing a football, or loving a family, the lessons derived from our fathers can have a profound impact on our lives. In 1969, 24-year old Dale Newberry agreed to join his father Jack in a family business selling cutting tools to local machine shops. What began 44 years ago as a two-machine operation based out of a carport of a southern California home is now a $15 million-a- year business based in Meridian, ID, that employs 110 Idahoans and sells from a catalog of 12,000 carbide cutting tools to more than 600 U.S. distributors and others in 40 countries.

Micro 100 specializes in manufacturing both industry standard and custom carbide tools which are used to manufacture items essential to modern life, including airplane wings, watch parts, telephone receivers, car-door handles, and household appliance components. The strength of these tools makes them virtually unbreakable.

Micro 100 utilizes a proprietary process that increases the toughness of micrograin carbide material without diminishing its hardness. Carbide is 90 percent tungsten--one of the hardest metals on the planet--but Micro 100 uses machines whose grinding wheels are coated in industrial diamond, the only substance known that will cut tungsten. As a result, carbide tools produced by Micro 100 stay sharp for 10 or 20 times longer than steel.

For years, Micro 100 products have achieved a 99.9 percent customer satisfaction rate from clients engaged in a wide range of metalworking fields, including mold and die making, high-speed cutting, high- precision cutting, high-performance milling of aluminum, plastics, and nonferrous materials, and hard milling. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate this firm's growth and successes, as they have simultaneously helped create jobs in Idaho and enhanced the reputation of American manufacturing in the global community. I am proud to extend my congratulations to Dale Newberry and everyone at Micro 100 for their tremendous efforts and offer my best wishes for their continued success.

Madam President, sustaining the longevity of American small businesses should be a primary focus of today's lawmakers. When we find a company that has managed to endure through difficult economic times, we should honor their commitments to the American dream and learn from them so that others can follow in their footsteps. The Whiteman Lumber Company, from the Silver Valley in northern Idaho, is a prime example of this. It is a small family business that has survived recessions and fires but continues to thrive and enhance the lumber industry.

In 1928, Harry H. Whiteman started what has now become the oldest continuously operating sawmill in all of Idaho. When the neighboring Sunshine Mining Company needed a constant supply of mining timbers to operate, Mr. Whiteman saw an opportunity and financed his lumber company by becoming the mine's primary and reliable lumber source. Whiteman Lumber then expanded distribution to other surrounding mines until arduous environmental regulations caused the decline of the mineral markets in the area.

Brad and Mary Corkill bought Whiteman Lumber in 1988 and maintained the strong relationship with the Sunshine Mining Company until its closure in 2001. Since then, Mr. Corkill has grown the business by focusing on both the national and local markets, selling materials to individuals, timber framers, contractors, and wholesalers, in addition to the remaining regional silver mines. Whiteman Lumber also supports the Silver Valley community by sustaining a supply of almost exclusively large logs from local mills, which are no longer capable of milling bigger trees. Moreover, they add a distinctive rustic look to their product by using circular saw technology and offer customized kiln drying to achieve specific levels of lumber moisture content for their clients.

Whiteman Lumber Company continues to be an essential part of the Silver Valley thanks to fortitude and their longstanding relationships with buyers. In 2009, the middle of the recession, a fire burned down the lumber mill, but Mr. Corkill quickly rebuilt into a more efficient layout and had their employees back to work within the year, several of whom are still related to Harry Whiteman.

The family-run business of the Whiteman Lumber Company is perfect representation of resiliency. They survived a devastating fire and the collapse of the mining industry by giving their clients desirable products while also giving back to their community. Mr. Corkill's business model is a vital tool that can be used by small businesses across the country striving to support the local and national economy while maintaining their own permanency.