[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 26, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2107-H2108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF MATHEW HALL LUMBER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legacy of 
Mathew Hall Lumber, which has been operating in downtown St. Cloud, 
Minnesota, for 130 years.
  Mathew Hall Lumber has been a fixture in the community and a backbone 
of the local economy.
  Maintaining a business is not an easy task. It involves blood, sweat, 
and tears to sustain the test of time. However, with that comes joy and 
fulfillment, something that generation after generation of the Hall 
family knows all about.
  One of the reasons why St. Cloud and the great State of Minnesota are 
so incredible is because of hardworking people like the Hall family. By 
maintaining their business in St. Cloud, they brought commerce, jobs, 
and a great product to our community.
  As Simonson Lumber purchases this historic company and the Hall 
family transitions into a new chapter, I speak for all of central 
Minnesota when I say thank you to the Hall family for your great 
contribution to our State and our community.


        Honoring Steve Taylor, A Great Minnesota Public Servant

  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sherburne County 
Administrator Steve Taylor.
  As Steve prepares to retire from his 30-year career, he leaves with 
the reputation for providing the highest level of customer service.
  During his time with Sherburne County and Carver County before that, 
Steve has served Minnesota's Sixth District with distinction.
  As a fellow public servant, I commend Steve for committing his life's 
work to serving others. His dedication and leadership will be hard to 
replace.
  The employees who had the pleasure of working with and learning from 
Steve will keep the good work going, but, certainly, his dependable 
presence will be missed.
  His efforts toward expanding Sherburne County's government center by 
adding extra courtrooms, more security, and much-needed space will be 
enjoyed by generations to come.
  Thank you, Steve, and congratulations on an amazing career in public 
service. I wish you a long and happy retirement.


                  Honoring the Legacy of Steve Gilmer

  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Steve Gilmer, who 
has retired after serving 45 years as the CEO of the State Bank of 
Delano, Minnesota.
  Steve retired leaving an incredible legacy. He cultivated a family 
out of his employees and built an environment based on humor, trust, 
and excellence, inspiring all those around him to be the best they 
could possibly be.
  As a resident of Delano, I can say from experience that Steve led by 
example and took the time to know and care for the customers who walked 
through the door of his bank.
  Most in the community knew Steve through his role as a volunteer, the 
volunteer treasurer of the Fourth of July Celebration Committee for 
over 40 years.
  Delano is home to Minnesota's largest Fourth of July parade, and 
Steve's service to that committee displayed his dedication to our 
community.
  Thank you for all you have done for the Delano community, Steve. 
Enjoy your retirement with your family and friends. You deserve it.


  Celebrating the Minnesota Central Region Small Business Development 
                                 Center

  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Minnesota 
Central Region Small Business Development Center for being named the 
Minnesota Small Business Development Center of Excellence.
  Located at St. Cloud State University, the Central Small Business 
Development Center provides free consulting services and assistance to 
those starting a small business.
  The center services the majority of my district, counties such as 
Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright. My constituents have benefited 
greatly from the services provided and the numerous business workshops 
focusing on educating local businesses and entrepreneurs on how to 
improve their new business.
  Special recognition goes to the current director, Barry Kirchoff, who 
came to the center in 2006 with an extensive background in business and 
economic development.
  Today, their success continues because of Barry's commitment to 
helping address the needs of the local small business community. His 
hard work is evident.
  Congratulations and thank you to Barry and the staff of the Minnesota 
Central Region Small Business Development Center. Central Minnesota is 
lucky to have you.


       Recognizing the Achievements of the Waconia HERO Coalition

  Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements 
of the Waconia HERO Coalition. ``HERO'' stands for their mission, which 
is to ``Help, Empower, and Respect Others.''
  This community task force based in my district undertook the mission 
in 2010 to reduce and prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other 
drugs by youth through education, engagement, and policy change.
  What started as a group of parents, educators, and community leaders 
joining forces to address bullying in

[[Page H2108]]

schools quickly became a task force tackling substance abuse.
  In 2014, the Waconia HERO Coalition was awarded the Drug Free 
Community Support Grant, providing $625,000 of funding over 5 years. 
Today I want to congratulate them for receiving a continuation to that 
grant, which reaffirms the incredible work this task force has already 
done and will be doing and serves as encouragement to keep working 
towards solutions to youth substance abuse.

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