[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 95 (Friday, June 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





HONORING MICHAEL BITTEL FOR HIS DEDICATION TO SERVING THE NORTH COUNTRY 
                           BUSINESS COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2022

  Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael Bittel for 
his hard work and advocacy on behalf of the Adirondack business 
community. Since 2018, Mr. Bittel has led the Adirondack Regional 
Chamber of Commerce, the ARCC, as both the president and CEO, and now, 
after years of dedication, Mr. Bittel is retiring.
  Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Bittel has prioritized 
supporting local businesses and his community's health and well-being. 
Prior to his current role at ARCC, Mr. Bittel served as COO at Hometown 
Healthcare and Co-CEO of the King Arthur Flour Company in Vermont. Mr. 
Bittel has served on the Boards for the March of Dimes New York, the 
Glens Falls Hospital, and the Northwest New York Salvation Army. In his 
latest position as president of the ARCC, Mr. Bittel has often devoted 
ten-to-twelve hours each day to ensure smooth, continued operations of 
the Adirondack region's small businesses.
  The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects have proven to be 
exceptionally difficult on small businesses and neighborhoods across 
the country and throughout the Adirondacks, but Mr. Bittel presented 
himself as a strong leader in the face of difficulty. He worked to 
support struggling businesses in the height of the pandemic, advocated 
for proper funding for restaurants, and provided guidance for seasonal 
businesses in the midst of confusing and trying times. Throughout each 
new obstacle over the past several years, Mr. Bittel stepped forward as 
a chief advocate for businesses in his region.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am proud to celebrate the 
retirement of Michael Bittel. His dedication to public service and 
tireless support of small businesses in the Adirondacks has been 
essential to the North Country's ability to thrive during these 
unprecedented times. I wish him a happy and blessed retirement.

                          ____________________