[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 137 (Monday, October 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10444-S10445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CREATIVE OPTICS, INC.

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Creative Optics, Inc. in Bedford, NH, for receiving the 
Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] Model of Excellence Tibbetts 
Award. Creative Optics is a 15-year-old, innovative think tank that 
develops ideas and solutions to complex problems facing the Department 
of Defense community.
  Companies were selected based on the economic impact of their 
technological innovations and their overall business achievements. It 
is a competitive three-phase program that provides qualified small 
businesses with opportunities to propose innovative ideas to the 
Federal Government. These proposals are a response to solicitations 
published by the 10 Federal agencies on their upcoming research and 
development needs. There is a mutual benefit in that the Government 
secures the needed research, while the small business retains rights to 
commercialization. Creative Optics has made, and continues to make, a 
significant impact at the State and regional level.
  After relocating to southern New Hampshire in 1991, Creative Optics 
developed a myriad of relationships with local organizations and 
business resources. Creative Optics is sharing its hard experience with 
other small businesses in the region, on the State level as well as the 
national level.
  The president of Creative Optics, Dr. John F. Ebersole, and the owner 
Ingrid Ebersole, John's wife, have provided both technical vision along 
with an administrative personal touch to the company. Along with the 
Ebersole's vision and touch are the brilliant, creative minds of the 
individuals developing new, inventive ideas, allowing Creative Optics 
to shine.
  Creative Optics is a unique small business in New Hampshire, 
providing high-level employment opportunities, economic growth, and an 
innovated

[[Page S10445]]

technology developed through SBIR funding. Small businesses are 
fruitful in research and development, producing more than half the 
Nation's product innovations. Furthermore, the Federal Government is 
achieving the highest quality research to meet specific mission needs, 
as well as expanding the Nation's industrial base. I commend Creative 
Optics for their outstanding innovations that benefit not only the 
State of New Hampshire but also the Nation as well. Creative Optics is 
a worthy candidate for receiving the prestigious Tibbetts 
Award.

                          ____________________