[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 103 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING BROOKS TRAP MILL

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
commend the tremendous success of Brooks Trap Mill, a family-owned 
lobster trap manufacturer headquartered in Thomaston, ME. The lobster 
industry is iconic of my home State and the hard work, perseverance, 
and success of everyone at Brooks Trap Mill is emblematic of the strong 
tradition of entrepreneurship in Maine.
  As former chair and current ranking member of the Senate Small 
Business Committee, I have had the tremendous privilege of hearing 
countless small business success stories from hard-working 
entrepreneurs across the country. Simply put, Brooks Trap Mill is one 
of these extraordinary stories. Since its inception in 1946, it has 
grown to become an indisputable leader in the fishing industry, while 
consistently creating quality jobs for Mainers. As a critical supplier 
to the commercial lobster industry, as well as other trap fisheries, 
Brooks Trap Mill offers Maine fishermen a vast selection of products to 
haul their catch. Their extensive inventory ranges from bait, buoys, 
foul-weather clothing, and rope to traps for lobster, oysters, sea 
bass, and shrimp.
  Like so many small Maine businesses, Brooks Trap Mill is rooted 
firmly in family tradition. Founded by Michael Brooks over 60 years ago 
in a stock mill in Rockland, ME, Brooks Trap Mill has expanded 
considerably throughout the years but continues to be a family-owned 
and operated business. With three locations, the largest of which 
entails over 45,000 square feet of storage space, Brooks Trap Mill has 
accumulated one of the largest stocks of lobstering materials in the 
industry. Currently run by the third generation of the family, siblings 
Mark, Julie, and Stephen Brooks are fully involved in leading the 
business' success. Under their watch, the company manufactures, sells, 
and distributes nearly 50,000 new lobster traps annually.
  Brooks Trap Mill is also dedicated to serving its community through 
support and participation in a variety of organizations and events 
including the Maine Lobstermen's Association; the Maine Lobster 
Festival in Rockland, Maine; and the Festival of Lights Lobster Trap 
Tree. Brooks Trap Mill has earned a reputation as a devoted and hard-
working fixture of the lobster fishing industry, and its community 
service is admirable.
  Through their remarkable growth, ingenuity, and dedication to its 
customers, the Brooks family has left an indelible mark on Maine 
maritime history. Brooks Trap Mill remains a tribute to the work begun 
60 years ago by Michael Brooks. I thank the entire Brooks family for 
all of their efforts and wish them and everyone at Brooks Trap Mill 
success in their future endeavors.

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