[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 132 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        WHITEMAN LUMBER COMPANY

 Mr. RISCH. Madam President, sustaining the longevity of 
American small businesses should be a primary focus of today's 
lawmakers. When we find a company that has managed to endure through 
difficult economic times, we should honor their commitments to the 
American dream and learn from them so that others can follow in their 
footsteps. The Whiteman Lumber Company, from the Silver Valley in 
northern Idaho, is a prime example of this. It is a small family 
business that has survived recessions and fires but continues to thrive 
and enhance the lumber industry.
  In 1928, Harry H. Whiteman started what has now become the oldest 
continuously operating sawmill in all of Idaho. When the neighboring 
Sunshine Mining Company needed a constant supply of mining timbers to 
operate, Mr. Whiteman saw an opportunity and financed his lumber 
company by becoming the mine's primary and reliable lumber source. 
Whiteman Lumber then expanded distribution to other surrounding mines 
until arduous environmental regulations caused the decline of the 
mineral markets in the area.
  Brad and Mary Corkill bought Whiteman Lumber in 1988 and maintained 
the strong relationship with the Sunshine Mining Company until its 
closure in 2001. Since then, Mr. Corkill has grown the business by 
focusing on both the national and local markets, selling materials to 
individuals, timber framers, contractors, and wholesalers, in addition 
to the remaining regional silver mines. Whiteman Lumber also supports 
the Silver Valley community by sustaining a supply of almost 
exclusively large logs from local mills, which are no longer capable of 
milling bigger trees. Moreover, they add a distinctive rustic look to 
their product by using circular saw technology and offer customized 
kiln drying to achieve specific levels of lumber moisture content for 
their clients.
  Whiteman Lumber Company continues to be an essential part of the 
Silver Valley thanks to fortitude and their longstanding relationships 
with buyers. In 2009, the middle of the recession, a fire burned down 
the lumber mill, but Mr. Corkill quickly rebuilt into a more efficient 
layout and had their employees back to work within the year, several of 
whom are still related to Harry Whiteman.
  The family-run business of the Whiteman Lumber Company is perfect 
representation of resiliency. They survived a devastating fire and the 
collapse of the mining industry by giving their clients desirable 
products while also giving back to their community. Mr. Corkill's 
business model is a vital tool that can be used by small businesses 
across the country striving to support the local and national economy 
while maintaining their own permanency.

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