[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 10, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6650-S6651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   RECOGNIZING ANNA MARIA OYSTER BAR

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
a small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit 
at the heart of our country. It is an honor to recognize a family-owned 
small business known for its industry leadership and local 
philanthropy. Today, it is my pleasure to name Anna Maria Oyster Bar of 
Bradenton, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  As a student at Clemson University, John Horne spent his summers 
working at a restaurant on the Florida shore. Drawn to the hospitality 
industry, John chose to pursue a business degree and establish his own 
restaurant. After earning his degree, he worked in several hospitality 
roles, gaining both managerial and front-line experience. John achieved 
his goal in 1997, opening the original Anna Maria Oyster Bar--AMOB--on 
the Anna Maria City Pier. Its family-oriented atmosphere and delicious 
food proved a hit, leading to a second location in 2002.
  Twenty years later, Anna Maria Oyster Bar has expanded to four 
locations in the Bradenton area and has become a local favorite. The 
business remains family-owned, with John's wife, Amanda, directing 
marketing and community involvement. Their strong sense of family has 
built a tight-knit and supportive team that still includes some of 
their first employees.

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  John is a champion of Manatee County's hospitality industry, a strong 
advocate of his trade and his work on philanthropic projects. AMOB has 
been recognized as Small Business of the Year by the Manatee, Sarasota, 
and Longboat Key Chambers of Commerce. John was also named the 2018 
Anna Maria Island Rotary Club Small Businessperson of the Year. AMOB 
also received the Champion of Tourism Award from the Bradenton Area 
Convention & Visitors Bureau and the 2020 Travelers' Choice Best of the 
Best Award from TripAdvisor.
  In 2017, John and Amanda founded Dive Into Reading, a summer reading 
and mentorship program. Collaborating with local elementary schools, 
AMOB has provided more than 500 underprivileged schoolchildren free 
meals, one-one-mentorship, and free books. For its impact, Dive Into 
Reading earned the National Restaurant Educational Foundation 2018 
Restaurant Neighbor Award and the 2019 Leadership Florida Impact Award.
  Like many Florida small businesses, Anna Maria Oyster Bar temporarily 
closed its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, the 
U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck Protection 
Program, a small business relief program that I was proud to author. 
The PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and 
nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
John and Amanda used their PPP loan to keep their more than 320 
employees on the payroll until their restaurants reopened in May.
  Anna Maria Oyster Bar is a notable example of the critical role of 
relationship-driven small businesses in building community. Through 
their philanthropy and industry leadership, AMOB has provided dignified 
work and invested in the next generation. Congratulations to John, 
Amanda, and the entire team at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. I look forward to 
watching your continued growth and leadership.

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