[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S3303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING MORRISON CHEVROLET

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today during National Small Business 
Week I wish to commend a local auto dealership from Downeast Maine that 
recently won the Top Drawer Award from the Ellsworth Area Chamber of 
Commerce. Morrison Chevrolet of Ellsworth has been selling automobiles 
in Hancock County for nearly 80 years, and it shows no signs of slowing 
down.
  The Top Drawer Award is presented annually to either a business or 
person that makes a lasting contribution to the development and 
improvement of the greater Ellsworth region. The award was founded in 
1980 to commemorate the late Tom Caruso, who established Bar Harbor 
Airlines to ``Link Maine With The World.'' It is clear that, through 
Morrison's solid and intelligent commitment to the customer and the 
community, it is highly worthy of this recognition.
  Founded in 1930 by the present co-owner Bud Morrison's grandfather, 
Harry, Morrison Chevrolet began its storied history in Winter Harbor, 
about 25 miles east of its present location. The dealership has moved 
over time first to Bar Harbor and then to several locations in 
Ellsworth, finally settling on a new 23,000-square-foot facility on 
Route 1 in Ellsworth in 2005. Although it may have relocated, the 
company has always been owned and run by a member of the Morrison 
family. Morrison Chevrolet has always stayed on the cutting edge, 
positioning itself to best survive in a competitive industry.
  To keep current in providing the best possible service to their 
customers, Morrison's technicians attend training and certification 
classes, frequently via the Internet. Workers often use the company's 
conference room to link in to classes online. Morrison's also makes use 
of technology to augment its sales by continually increasing its 
Internet advertising. In fact, Mr. Morrison says that roughly one-third 
of his sales leads come from the Internet, and the firm ships cars--
even Corvettes--across the country. Additionally, the dealership's Web 
site is a handy tool for the consumer, allowing clients to search 
available new and used automobiles, schedule service and maintenance 
requests, prequalify for purchasing a car, and calculate whether it is 
wiser for them to buy or lease a vehicle.
  In addition to providing their customers with convenient options and 
caring service, Morrison's employees always find time for community 
involvement. Dave Keep, the used car sales manager, serves as an 
officer of the Ellsworth Masons, and P.J. Davis, who works in the sales 
department, is a member of the chamber of commerce's board. And 
Morrison's general manager Clyde Lewis is a member of the board of 
directors of the James Russell Wiggins Downeast Family YMCA, which has 
been assisting Ellsworth area families since 1961.
  A staple of the local business scene for decades, Morrison Chevrolet 
is most deserving of the immense honor of the Top Drawer Award. By 
serving the customer and the community at the same time, Morrison's 47 
employees exhibit the generosity and kindness of Downeast Mainers. 
Furthermore, by continuing to innovate its business practices, Morrison 
Chevrolet is well-positioned for future success and additional 
accolades. I commend Bud Morrison and everyone at Morrison Chevrolet 
for their accomplishments and wish them well in their continuing 
endeavors.

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