[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S6275]]
         HONORING SOUTH DAKOTA'S SMALL BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the values and spirit that helped early 
settlers thrive and prosper in the harsh conditions of life on the 
prairie are alive and well today in South Dakota.
  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet someone who embodies many of 
the values and ideals that the great state of South Dakota was built 
upon. Phillip Clark, owner and President of Hansen Manufacturing 
Corporation of Sioux Falls, is one of 53 persons honored this week by 
the Small Business Administration as part of its celebration of 
National Small Business Week. For over two decades, Phil has guided his 
company through a variety of complex challenges and built a thriving 
business. In the process, he has made an important contribution to our 
state, and to the city of Sioux Falls.
  As a manufacturer of conveyer belt assemblies, Phil invented an 
enclosed belt conveyor system. Anyone who has worked in or around a 
grain elevator knows the importance of minimizing dust; it is one of 
the most important safety steps that can be taken to prevent fires and 
explosions. This enclosed belt system has helped a number of grain 
facilities improve the safety of their operations, and dramatically 
changed the way that grain and other bulk materials are moved.
  Phil was able to develop this system because he listened to what his 
customers wanted, and he acted to fill that need. it is a basic lesson 
that every successful business owner must know: listen to your 
customer.
  While Phil has maintained a clear focus on his company's future, he 
has also taken the steps necessary to position his company to deal with 
current business conditions. As a manufacturer of conveyor belt 
systems, Hansen Manufacturing derives much of its business from grain 
elevators, feed manufacturers, and other companies that process 
agricultural goods and other bulk materials. Because of the continued 
crisis in our agricultural markets, many of these companies have faced 
extremely difficult business conditions over the past few years, 
resulting in equally difficult times for their suppliers. Furthermore, 
domestic weakness has been compounded by weakness in foreign markets, 
which have become increasingly important for Hansen Manufacturing.
  While short-term business conditions have been challenging, Phil has 
been able to successfully grow his business while making critical 
investments in new product lines. His successful stewardship of Hansen 
Manufacturing serves as an example to all small business people in 
South Dakota. I commend the Small Business Administration for 
recognizing his outstanding work.
  In South Dakota, almost all businesses are small businesses, and 
that's true nationwide. But in South Dakota small businesses are big 
business. I thank the Small Business Administration for its work with 
business owners such as Phil Clark, and I congratulate Phil for his 
hard work and his outstanding contributions to his community and state.

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