[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING OXFORD NETWORKS

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I recognize a small 
telecommunications company from my home State of Maine that has proved 
itself to be a dedicated leader throughout northern New England. Oxford 
Networks, based in Lewiston with offices in Bangor and Norway, has been 
serving customers across Maine for over a century, and it has shown no 
signs of letting up.
  Alva Andrews, Oxford's founder, laid the foundation for the company 
in 1893 by setting up phone service between his family-owned business, 
located in South Woodstock, and the nearby railroad station in West 
Paris. Seven years later, in 1900, Mr. Andrews incorporated his firm as 
Oxford Telephone and Telegraph, a provider of telephone services to the 
local community in western Maine.
  The company has expanded and grown significantly over the last 110 
years. In 1981, the company acquired Bryant Pond Telephone Company, and 
two decades later, purchased Revolution Networks to continue growing 
its reach. By 2004, Oxford was able to provide cable television, 
Internet, phone, and long distance service, one of Maine's only 
facility-based competitive providers to do so. Additionally, the 
company's fiber optic backbone network presently spreads north as far 
as Bangor and south down to Boston.
  A member of 12 different Chambers of Commerce throughout the State, 
Oxford Networks, which now employs 125, has been named a Best Place to 
Work Company for each of the last four years, indicative of the 
environment the company fosters for its employees. But beyond this 
remarkable feat, Oxford has demonstrated its commitment to others by 
becoming an active partner in the community, supporting a host of local 
charities and initiatives, from the United Way to the Maine Discovery 
Museum. Company employees raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters each 
spring during the Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser, and also participate 
in walking teams for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. The 
company has also been the Presenting Underwriter for the Maine Cancer 
Foundation's Pink Tulip Project since 2007. The project raises money 
for the Maine Cancer Foundation's Women's Cancer Fund while paying 
tribute to those who have courageously fought the disease.
  From its start in the 1890s with a simple telephone connection, 
Oxford Networks has transformed the way Maine connects with the world. 
Because of its forward-thinking and innovative efforts, Oxford is now 
able to offer a wide range of cutting-edge telecommunications options 
to its varied client base of small and large businesses, as well as 
individual residences. Indeed, no problem is too large or too small for 
this incredible company, which continues to impress its customers with 
its rapid responsiveness and quality service. I thank everyone at 
Oxford Networks for the great work they do in the community, and wish 
them continued success in the future.

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