[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GARY HIRSHBERG

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
recognize Gary Hirshberg, president and chief executive officer of 
Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry, New Hampshire, who is being honored 
with the two most prestigious business leadership awards in New 
Hampshire. Dedicated to social and environmental corporate 
responsibility, Gary Hirshberg became the first New Hampshire 
entrepreneur to be named both ``Business Leader of the Year'' by 
Business NH magazine and ``New Hampshire's 1998 Small Business Person 
of the Year'' by the United States Small Business Administration.
  A New Hampshire native and third-generation manufacturer, Gary's 
vision and commitment to social and environmental issues played an 
integral role in the development of Stonyfield Farm. Gary Hirshberg was 
named CEO shortly after joining Stonyfield. Together, with founder 
Samuel Kaymen, they embarked on an educational project designed to 
revitalize family farms in the New England dairy industry while 
positively impacting the environment and the local economy.
  The same dedication and determination that prompted two individuals 
to do everything from milk cows to deliver products out of an old 
farmhouse in Wilton, helped the Stonyfield Farm family to grow to its 
current 150 employees and 21,000-square-foot, custom-designed ``Yogurt 
Works'' in Londonderry. Having been raised on a farm myself, I can 
appreciate the hard work done by Gary and his partner over the years. 
As Gary watched the company's distribution expand to all 50 States and 
Great Britain and annual sales exceed $40 million, he never lost sight 
of his commitment to family-owned farms. Under Gary Hirshberg's 
leadership, Stonyfield Farm continues to promote awareness of the 
plight of the small farm through such programs as ``Adopt a Cow,'' and 
to raise environmental consciousness through the company's use of 
operationally efficient natural resources and its sponsorship of 
recycling programs.
  As a former small business owner, I appreciate the challenges faced 
by small business owners and understand that these businesses are the 
backbone of our economy. Consequently, I have worked throughout my 
tenure in Congress to lift the tax and regulatory burden from the 
shoulders of small business so that the dreams and aspirations of 
people like Gary Hirshberg and Stonyfield Farm may continue to grow and 
prosper. Gary's compassion and commitment to local communities, 
environmental awareness, and social responsibility embodies the true 
New Hampshire spirit. I commend him for serving as a role model for not 
only the youth of the Granite State but for all of us. It is with great 
pride that I represent Gary Hirshberg in the United States 
Senate.

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