[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8960-S8961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN DUMAIS

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to salute John 
Dumais for his many years of dedicated service at the New Hampshire 
Grocers Association. John is retiring from his longtime role as 
president and CEO of a trade association that represents hundreds of 
retailers and suppliers and thousands of workers across the Granite 
State, and he leaves a legacy worthy of our praise and our gratitude.
  John draws on a lifetime of experience and in-depth knowledge in his 
advocacy for the retail food industry. He grew up working in his 
family's grocery store in Franklin, NH--Surowiec's Market--and put 
aside a career track as a pharmacist to help run the shop when his 
father passed away in 1971. Three years later, he took a role with the 
New Hampshire Grocers Association. It was the start of an almost five-
decade career in which John became one of the State's foremost 
authorities on the many issues that impact New Hampshire's chained 
grocery stores and independent retailers.
  The Granite State is home to a growing number of retail food chains 
that offer their services in multiple locations. It boasts a number of 
independent, local corner stores and specialty shops that provide 
distinct services to their communities. It also has a number of food 
manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, and distributers that serve and 
support the State's many retailers. Each of these enterprises are 
represented by the New Hampshire Grocers Association, and each of them 
has found a knowledgeable resource and skilled advocate in John Dumais. 
John and his hard-working team tap into their wealth of experience to 
respond to present needs and anticipate future challenges in this 
crucial industry.
  In addition to his influential role and many achievements with the 
New Hampshire Grocers Association, John is incredibly generous with his 
time in a number of other community and charitable organizations. He is 
a past chairman and current board member of the New Hampshire Food 
Bank, the chairman of an anti-litter and pro-recycling campaign--New 
Hampshire the Beautiful--and the past chairman of a scholarship 
organization, the Asparagus Club. He is also a donor-adviser to

[[Page S8961]]

the Mary M. Dumais Memorial Fund, an endowment fund named for his wife 
that assists women who face challenges entering or advancing in the 
workforce. John's enthusiasm and desire to tackle serious community 
issues reveal a deep understanding of the true value of service and 
reflect the profound sense of community that defines our State.
  I have known John for decades. As State senator, Governor of New 
Hampshire, and now U.S. Senator, I have crossed paths with him at many 
meetings and events around the State, including just last month at a 
supply chain event in Manchester. I always welcome his perspective and 
advice on ways we can strengthen the retail food industry. His wisdom 
was especially vital in the past year and a half as the industry 
navigated the challenges of a global pandemic and Granite Staters 
counted on grocery stores to keep food on their tables. We relied on 
this essential workforce, just as these retailers relied on John for 
guidance through tough times.
  On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I ask my colleagues and all 
Americans to join me in thanking John Dumais for his years of service 
and advocacy and wishing him all the best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________