[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3738-S3739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR, CHUCK 
                               HENDERSON

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate a hard-
working New Hampshire entrepreneur, Chuck Henderson, on being named the 
1996 New Hampshire Small Business Person of the Year. The New Hampshire 
Small Business Administration (SBA) recently honored Chuck with this 
award, and in June, he will receive special recognition from the 
President.
  In 1969, as a young high school student, Chuck started a business by 
developing his first skiing product. Twenty-six years later, Chuck is 
the proud owner of Chuck Roast Equipment, Inc., which now offers more 
than 100 products for cold weather. His company is nationally known and 
employs 47 people.
  Chuck grew up in Conway, NH, and undoubtedly saw a need for warm 
clothing during the severe winter months. Snow gaiters were the first 
products he developed while in high school in response to wet socks and 
pants during cross country skiing. Chuck Roast Equipment, Inc., now has 
an extensive line of high-quality outerwear. His company has been one 
of the leaders in the production of pile clothing, and its brightly 
colored and patterned fleece jackets and pullovers are popular across 
the country. Other products include hats, mittens, blankets, daypacks, 
and baby buntings. He now sells to over 300 retailers, exports to six 
countries, and operates three retail stores in the State.
  As a dedicated entrepreneur, Chuck attributes the success of his 
business to perseverance, hiring and keeping competent and loyal 
employees while also diversifying the product line when

[[Page S3739]]

the need arises. He also donates baby bunting to every baby born at 
Memorial Hospital in North Conway and is involved in other community 
service projects.
  He credits the SBA and its resource partners, the Service Corps of 
Retired Executives [SCORE] and the New Hampshire Small Business 
Development Center [SNDC] with helping Chuck Roast get started and grow 
to be the success company it is today. His company received several SBA 
loans and the assistance from the agency's export finance program.
  Small business is the backbone of our economy in the United States. I 
am proud to honor Chuck for preserving and establishing a thriving 
business in New Hampshire. He has devoted himself to working hard and 
providing our State with warm clothes during the harsh winters. 
Congratulations to Chuck and all the employees at Chuck Roast 
Equipment, Inc., for this prestigious recognition.

                          ____________________