[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4437-S4438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAN FRASER

  Mr. WELCH. Madam President, I rise today to recognize Dan Fraser, 
manager of Dan & Whit's General Store, who will be stepping down from 
his role. Dan & Whit's is a family-owned general store and the 
unofficial community center of my town, Norwich,

[[Page S4438]]

VT. Dan & Whit's is a local institution, carrying products from coffee 
to nails, breakfast sandwiches to rubber gloves. As one employee 
stated, ``Dan & Whit's is the heartbeat of this community''--and I 
could not agree more.
  For decades, Dan Fraser has been an integral member of the Norwich 
community. Since he was in fourth grade, Dan has been working at the 
general store, named for his grandfather Dan Fraser, and has been a 
full-time employee since 1990. Dan's philanthropy and dedication to his 
community, whether it be on the Harford Town Selectboard or in special 
education, exemplifies what it means to be a community leader.
  Small businesses are the heart and soul of small towns and rural 
communities. Small businesses account for 99 percent of all businesses 
in Vermont, and our State serves as a model for the Nation, 
highlighting that local communities are at their best when small 
businesses are given the resources they need to thrive. Supporting our 
neighbors and supporting local businesses is the Vermont way. The town 
of Norwich is a better place because of Dan & Whit's.
  The COVID-19 pandemic made clear what Vermonters already knew: Small 
businesses and general stores are essential to our communities. The 
sacrifices that Dan & Whit's made during the pandemic, including a 
grocery delivery fund for folks who lost their jobs as a result of the 
pandemic, illustrate the store's commitment to serving the community. 
Even when staffing shortages nearly forced the store to close, they 
made sure to meet the community where they were and did all they could 
to ensure the community could thrive in trying times.
  Margaret and I will miss the warm welcome from Dan when we visit the 
store. His ability to always point us to what we need underscores the 
store's slogan: ``If we don't have it, you don't need it.'' While the 
store may no longer have Dan, the Norwich community will always need 
him. His enthusiasm and passion for his community will be especially 
missed, along with his colorful and lively shirts and shoes.
  Dan has served his community well, and Margaret and I are wishing him 
well in his next chapter of life.

                          ____________________