[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14395-S14396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING JORDAN-FERNALD FUNERAL HOMES

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Jordan-Fernald 
Funeral Homes, an outstanding small business in my home State of Maine 
that exemplifies the best of Maine's community spirit. Founded in 1860 
by the Fernald family, Jordan-Fernald is now in its fourth and fifth 
generations of ownership. Over the years, the Fernalds purchased 
several Jordan Funeral Home locations to become Jordan-Fernald in 2004. 
Currently, four Fernalds siblings--Bill, Tom, and Lauri, along with 
their father, Robert--co-own the business.
  Presently maintaining funeral homes in four towns in Hancock County, 
the Fernalds have always prided themselves on their stalwart commitment 
to the ever-changing needs of the local communities. For example, Bill 
participates in a local project to prepare

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the Hancock County area against a potential pandemic flu. Meanwhile, 
Tom serves on the boards of the Maine Funeral Directors Association and 
the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital and Lauri serves on the boards of the 
Hospice of Hancock County, the Abbe Museum, and the Hospice Regatta of 
Maine. Finally, Robert is well known in the area for his work on behalf 
of the Lions Club.
  In recognition of the Fernalds' contributions to the communities, 
Jordan-Fernald received the Gannett Family Business of the Year Award 
in 2005. This award recognizes family-run businesses that demonstrate 
creativity in ensuring their company's vitality while maintaining ties 
with their communities and stakeholders. Jordan-Fernald was selected, 
along with one other business, out of a pool of 22 nominees. Family-
owned businesses represent approximately 90 percent of all Maine 
businesses, yet less than 30 percent survive to the second generation 
and only 13 percent survive to the third generation, making it all the 
more impressive that Jordan-Fernald has survived to the fifth 
generation!
  Most recently, Jordan-Fernald received the Top Drawer Award from the 
Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is presented to a 
business that has made a substantial contribution to the growth, 
development, and improvement of Ellsworth, Hancock County, and the 
State of Maine. The Ellsworth Area Chamber president, Chrissi Maguire-
Harding, cited Jordan-Fernald's commitment to the region through 
participation on community boards, support of other businesses, and 
economic growth as the main reasons for the award. In modern times, 
where one-third of Maine funeral homes are owned by a single 
corporation based in Texas, Jordan-Fernald has managed to maintain 
independence and a bountiful community spirit.
  Jordan-Fernald is an exemplary small business. The firm's dynamic 
approach toward business and community involvement benefits everyone 
throughout eastern Maine and, indeed, the entire State of Maine. I 
commend Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes for its dedication and leadership, 
and I wish the enterprise much success going forward.

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