[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 57 (Thursday, April 29, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR 2004

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
importance of small business as the foundation of the U.S. economy and 
to congratulate Michael and Michele Robuck, co-owners of the Alaska 
Mint based in Anchorage, AK, who today have been named the Small 
Business Persons of the Year for 2004 by the U.S. Small Business 
Administration, SBA.
  According to the Small Business Development Center of Alaska, 97 
percent of all businesses in Alaska are defined as small businesses. 
Eighty-five percent of all new jobs in Alaska are created by businesses 
with fewer than 20 employees. Small businesses have created the 
majority of the new jobs created in the last few years on a nationwide 
basis. So the importance of small businesses to the Nation's and to the 
Alaskan economies is obvious.
  The President's small business agenda recognizes that the role of 
government is not to create wealth but to create an environment where 
entrepreneurial endeavors can flourish and people can directly benefit 
from their efforts. It is well accepted that small businesses and young 
business are the driving force in job creation and prosperity.
  Since 1963, the President has designated a week as the National Small 
Business Week in recognition of the small business's contributions to 
the country. Next month, the White House and the Small Business 
Administration will join in celebrating the small business people and 
businesses of the year.
  Today, Mike and Michelle Robuck, as co-owners of the Alaska Mint, 
will be named as the Alaska District Small Business of the Year 2004. 
They were nominated by their banker, First National Bank Alaska for 
this award. Congratulations to Mike and Michele Robuck.
  Small business winners are evaluated in Alaska by a panel of judges 
convened by the Alaska District Office on a variety of criteria 
including: staying power, growth in employees, increase in market or 
sales volume, response to adversity, contributions to the community, 
and innovation of the products they offer.
  Now let me tell you about Mike and Michele Robuck, the Alaska Mint 
and why they deserved to be small business persons of the year for 
Alaska. Alaska Mint is a second generation Alaskan business that trades 
in many things but most important in the commodities that made Alaska--
gold, silver, and platinum. Alaska Mint designs and produces 
medallions, coins and jewelry. The Alaska Mint is designated as the 
official mint of the State of Alaska, the Alaska Railroad, the White 
Pass and Yukon Route, the Iditarod Trail Committee, the Yukon Quest, 
and the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous.
  Part of the wonderful story of the Alaska Mint is its very beginning. 
Mike Robuck started the business as a sidewalk vending cart in downtown 
Anchorage in 1989. He was following in his father's foot steps that had 
started a small family-owned jewelry store in Anchorage in 1967. Mike 
learned the importance of dealing with the public and the value of 
tourism to Alaska. It was not long after that Mike opened a store and 
assemble the equipment to manufacture his coins, jewelry, and 
collectibles. I wish I could share with each member of the Senate an 
example of his creativity and artistry.
  With the help of the Small Business Administration and the First 
National Bank Alaska, Mike and Michele Robuck expanded the business and 
began doing business nationwide with the help of QVC network and the 
internet. Last year Alaska Mint released a coin to commemorate the 
tragic events of September 11, 2001, that within a 24-hour period sold 
and raised over $50,000 for the Red Cross.
  Their success is more than just the bottom line. The Robucks often 
assist a variety of charities and local schools. Mike and Michele help 
with counseling and provide jobs for two rehabilitation programs 
helping people to regain their place in the community.
  It took 5 years since the Robucks formally formed the Alaska Mint for 
the business to become truly established and successful. From a one-
person operation in the mid 1980s, the business now employs 10 people 
full time and increases to 20 during the summer tourist season. They 
are now a tourist destination and a place of education about the art of 
their work.
  When the criteria for the award of the Small Business Persons of the 
Year are applied to the Robucks, they meet all of the standards. They 
shine like the coins they make. They have shown their staying power, 
increased the number of employees, increased their markets and sales 
volume, responded to challenges, shown innovation of the products they 
offer, and continue to contribute to the community. Mike and Michele 
Robuck, as a team, exemplify the qualities, the business skills, 
personal character, and the spirit of Alaska that warrant their being 
awarded the Small Business Persons of the Year Award for 2004.

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