[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING ALAN DOAN AND SARAH GALBRAITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize 
Alan Doan and Sarah Galbraith, small business owners from Hamilton, 
Missouri, on being named the Small Business Persons of the Year by the 
Small Business Administration, in recognition of their company, the 
Missouri Star Quilt Co.
   After their father lost his retirement savings in the 2008 market 
crash, Alan and Sarah thought of their mother's skills with sewing and 
quilting. They decided to take out a loan to purchase a quilting 
machine to make the quilts and earn extra money to support their 
family. They began their business in a small building close to their 
parents' home and that is where Missouri Star Quilt Co. was born. They 
decided that in order to grow their business, they needed to reach a 
broader market and began putting quilting tutorial videos on the 
internet. Their business grew exponentially and soon they were 
receiving more orders than they could handle. Today, the Missouri Star 
Quilt Co. has more than 180 employees in Hamilton, Missouri, they have 
prompted other small businesses to open up their shops nearby, and have 
attracted as many as 10,000 tourists a month to Hamilton, which has a 
population less than 2,000. Their small business has not only profited 
and thrived, but has allowed many members of their community to thrive 
as well.
   Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Alan Doan 
and Sarah Galbraith for their achievement in receiving the SBA Small 
Business Persons of the Year award, as well as their hard work and 
commitment to their community.

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