[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 169 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4975-S4976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING STEFFENSMEIER WELDING AND MANUFACTURING

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize 
Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing of Pilot Grove, IA, as the 
Senate Small Business of the Week during National Women's Small 
Business Month.
  Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing was founded by Ben 
Steffensmeier in 1982 as a one-person welding shop. He founded the 
business 2 years after graduating from Fort Madison High School in Fort 
Madison, IA, and learning how to weld from Joe Mertens and Paul Conrad. 
In 1985, the one-person shop expanded after Ben hired his brother Glenn 
Steffensmeier and in 1986 moved the business to their current city of 
operation, Pine Grove. Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing started 
as a local shop that helped local farmers and has grown to service 
several big-name clients. In 2000, his wife Jenny started working at 
the company in a part-time capacity. Jenny eventually took over the 
day-to-day control of the company in 2011 following Ben's battle with 
Frontotemporal Dementia. In 2015, Ben

[[Page S4976]]

Steffensmeier passed away leaving behind a legacy of hard work, 
resilience, and excellence in the welding profession.
  Today, Jenny Steffensmeier continues to lead the company and has 
grown to include 12 employees, including 4 of her 5 children working at 
the company in varying capacities. While in this position, Jenny 
Steffensmeier has been recognized for her contributions to the welding 
and manufacturing industry as a female president. She is an alumna of 
the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, a program that 
promotes, highlights, and educates small businesses and their 
importance in the U.S. economy. She has been featured on the Iowa 
Business Report radio program, Southeastern Community College 
``Friends'' profile, and the ``Talks at GS'' episode where she joined 
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for a conversation on small businesses. 
Jenny also serves on the boards of the Iowa Association of Business and 
Industry and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. In April, 2022, I 
had the opportunity to tour Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing 
with Jenny and her daughter Rachel as part of my River to River Tour. 
Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing's hard work has paid off; in 
2023, they celebrated their 41st business anniversary.
  Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing's commitment to providing 
high-quality commercial welding and manufacturing services in Pilot 
Grove, IA, is clear. I want to congratulate the Jenny Steffensmeier, 
the Steffensmeier family, and the entire team at Steffensmeier Welding 
and Manufacturing for their continued dedication. I look forward to 
seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

                          ____________________