[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
TRIBUTE TO KAREN AND CHRIS COLLMAN, 1994 NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS PEOPLE 
                              OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                            HON. DICK SWETT

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 1994

  Mr. SWETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two of my New 
Hampshire constituents, Karen and Chris Collman, who have recently been 
recognized as New Hampshire's 1994 Small Business Persons of the Year.
  Karen and Chris Collman are owners of Gale River Designs, a private-
label garment manufacturer located in Franconia, NH. Since its founding 
in 1979, Gale River Designs has grown from an attic-based venture to a 
thriving international business.
  Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this success story, however, is 
the overwhelming obstacles which the Collman's have had to surmount on 
their road to success. Karen and Chris have been able to steer Gale 
River Designs through difficult times that included the bankruptcy of a 
major account and a devastating fire that destroyed their new facility. 
With astounding resiliency and with the help of a guaranteed loan from 
the Small Business Administration, the Collman's worked alongside their 
employees to rebuild.
  Mr. Speaker, the Collman's success is a wonderful example of how hard 
work and public investment can pay off. As Congress debates budget 
priorities, we need to recognize the difference between government 
spending and public investment. There are many fine people and 
organizations, including the United States SBA and the New Hampshire 
Small Business Development Center, working shoulder-to-shoulder to 
ensure our small businesses will survive and prosper. By accessing the 
direct support offered by these organizations, through funding and one-
on-one consulting companies like Gale River Designs are prospering and 
providing jobs and security for families all across the country. The 
economy of this great Nation depends on these small businesses, and I 
want to salute them and the organizations that stand behind them.
  Mr. Speaker, Karen and Chris Collman exemplifies the rock solid 
values that are typical of the people of New Hampshire. Their hard work 
and dedication deserve our respect and recognition. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating Karen and Chris Collman and all of their 
employees, past and present, for a job well done.

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