[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 93 (Monday, June 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S3826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING ANNIE MILLER'S SON'S SWAMP & MARSH TOUR

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, known as the ``Sportsman's 
Paradise,'' Louisiana is blessed with an abundance of natural 
resources, and millions of folks come from across the country and the 
world to see our unique ecosystems in person. The tourism industry 
plays a major role in our State's economy, bringing in billions of 
dollars each year. Much of that positive growth is due to our local 
small businesses, including this week's Small Business of the Week, 
Annie Miller's Son's Swamp & Marsh Tour of Houma, LA.
  Annie and Eddie Miller founded Annie Miller's Swamp and Marsh Tours 
in 1979, which became Louisiana's very first swamp-boat company. Known 
as Alligator Annie, Annie and Eddie escorted tourists through the 
Louisiana swamps, showing them everything from the beautiful marshlands 
to backwater canals and even allowing guests to feed wild alligators. 
Annie took her role as Louisiana's trailblazer of nature-based tourism 
very seriously and made sure each guest was well-educated in the 
effects of coastal erosion by the time the tour had concluded. Her 
efforts over the years led to the local government preserving sections 
of the marsh and bayous in Terrebonne Parish for the local alligators.
  Over the years, Annie Miller's Swamp and Marsh Tours experienced 
major successes, and it wasn't long before Annie and Eddie's son Jimmy 
Bonvillain joined the family business. Upon Annie's passing in 2004, 
Jimmy renamed the family business to Annie Miller's Son's Swamp & Marsh 
Tour and continues to welcome visitors year-round.
  Louisiana's small businesses in the tourism industry are constantly 
finding new and entertaining ways to attract visitors to our State. 
With its focus on both the beauty and importance of preserving our 
wildlife and natural resources, Annie Miller's Son's Swamp & Marsh Tour 
certainly found its successful hook decades ago. Congratulations to 
Annie Miller's Son's Swamp & Marsh Tour for being selected as this 
week's Small Business of the Week.

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