[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING LARSON CHIROPRACTIC

 Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam President, from time to time, I will be 
coming forward to recognize a small business from Alaska that has made 
contributions to our community.
  This month, I wish to recognize Larson Chiropractic, a small business 
in Wasilla, AK, that does big things. Larson Chiropractic exemplifies 
the things that small businesses can do to benefit a community, a 
State, and our country.
  First, let me say that small business truly is the backbone of our 
economy and our communities, and we should be doing all we can do in DC 
to support small businesses and the entrepreneurship and innovation 
that creates them. Small businesses owners and those who work for them 
have ties to the community. They know community needs, and they work to 
fulfill those needs.
  Larson Chiropractic is a family business committed to improving the 
health care and lifestyles of Mat-Su Valley residents. Dr. Dan Larson 
started the company in 1991, and now his son, Dr. Kris Larson, owns 
Larson Chiropractic and Back in Action Physical Therapy. The company is 
fully Alaskan-owned and operated, and though it is small, the effect on 
the local community is anything but.
  Larson Chiropractic focuses on family-oriented chiropractic health 
care that emphasizes effective pain relief without the use of drugs and 
promoting wellness care through prevention, specializing in sports 
treatment. Their community service centers around their commitment to 
the area high school athletes. The business is also heavily involved in 
the annual food drive during Hunger Action Month.
  Dr. Kris Larson volunteers countless hours at high school sporting 
events, dealing with injuries on scene, free of charge and, preventing 
the need for expensive treatment and recovery time later. The staff 
have also become regular fixtures at sporting events throughout the 
region, donating time and resources to sporting programs in each high 
school.
  Even retired founder Dr. Dan fills in at the clinic when needed and 
during September assists student athletes and coaches from Wasilla High 
School every Friday night. From football season, he transitions into 
basketball season, often traveling with the teams to make sure they are 
always ready to compete.
  Dr. Dan also started the Doc Larson Roundball Classic Tournament at 
the school to give athletes exposure to new people, more basketball, 
and to give back to the community. Larson Chiropractic and Back in 
Action Physical Therapy staff a therapy room at Wasilla High for the 
entire tournament, providing free care to all athletes present, no 
matter where their team is from.
  Finally, Larson Chiropractic cares about the community beyond sports 
medicine. For Hunger Action Month, the business hosts a food drive to 
help residents of the Mat-Su Valley, covering the cost of admission to 
the Wasilla High varsity football match-up for anyone who donates two 
or more food items and continuing the drive in the clinic's lobby and 
waiting area.
  They also educate their patients, placing ``Real People, Real 
Stories'' displays inside examination rooms providing the stories of 
community members who suffer food insecurity and how food drives help 
to ensure brighter futures for those in need.
  Larson Chiropractic cares about the community and cares about the 
community caring about the community. They have demonstrated a 
tireless, selfless drive to give back and an inspirational enthusiasm. 
Their commitment to creating better lives for the residents of the Mat-
Su area has benefitted this Alaskan community for many years and 
hopefully will continue to do so for many more.

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