[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING COBORN'S INCORPORATED OF ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA, UPON BEING 
  NAMED GROCERY HEADQUARTERS MAGAZINE INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2011

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chief 
Executive Officer Chris Coborn and all the employees of Coborn's 
Incorporated upon being named the Independent Retailer of the Year by 
Grocery Headquarters magazine. Based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Coborn's 
has become a fixture in communities across Minnesota and the upper 
Midwest.
  A uniquely American story, Chris is a fourth generation Coborn in a 
business that always puts family first. The work ethic and drive that 
led Chester Coborn to open a one-man market in 1921 still influence the 
decisions that are made today, and innovation has made Coborn's a 
leader in store development, club opportunities and consumer marketing.
  Though he runs a range of businesses from a grocery distribution 
center to the bakery for each store, Chris never sacrifices quality. 
His retail stores--Coborn's, Cash Wise, and Save-A-Lot--are known for 
their emphasis on service to the customers that are considered family. 
The contributions this company gives back to the communities in which 
they operate are marked by service and giving. In 2010, $2.3 million 
dollars was donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Big Brothers Big 
Sisters, and Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. Donations were also 
designated toward high school scholarships and higher learning at St. 
Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical College, St. John's 
University, and the College of St. Benedict.
  Additionally, matching employee contributions to the United Way and 
fundraising opportunities for local groups create a true sense of 
community among more than 6,000 employee/owners who also participate in 
an employee stock ownership program. These are just additional ways 
that Coborn's Inc. treats its employees like family.
  Mr. Speaker, Coborn's Inc. is a business that emulates family 
principles, hard work and service at every level. I ask that this body 
join with me in recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of 
Coborn's Inc. as they are named the Independent Retailer of 2011 by 
Grocery Headquarters Magazine.

                          ____________________