[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 183 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5357-S5358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  RECOGNIZING BRANNON MONUMENT COMPANY

 Ms. ERNST. Madam 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 
Brannon Monument Company of Dubuque, IA, as the Senate Small Business 
of the Week.
  Brannon Monument Company was founded by Henry Kies in 1926 as Kies 
Monument in Dubuque, IA. In 1961, Vince and Mary Lou Brannon bought 
Kies Monument and shortly thereafter changed the name to Brannon 
Monument Company. In 1991, Vince and Mary Lou's son Michael Brannon 
started working at the company. Michael purchased the family business 
from his parents in 1993 with his wife Stasia and moved the company in 
1996 to a larger location. Brannon Monument Company

[[Page S5358]]

moved again in 2021 to a new location and now includes Novak and 
Brannon Monuments in Marion, IA, and Manchester Monument Company in 
Manchester, IA. Vince Brannon passed away in 2004, leaving behind a 
legacy of hard work, service, and dedication to the Dubuque community.
  Brannon Monument Company has been instrumental in building memorials 
to honor our Nation's veterans. They were a key partner in the 
construction of the Dubuque Veterans Memorial Plaza, which honors 
Dubuque veterans who fought in major military conflicts. On July 4, 
2019, the Buchanan County Veterans Memorial opened with members of the 
Brannon family in attendance for the dedication. Brannon Monument 
Company has been involved in building veteran memorials in Central City 
and Kolona, IA, as well as Platteville, WI.
  In addition to providing memorials, Brannon Monument Company is also 
actively involved in the Dubuque community. Michael and Stasia Brannon 
are famous in the Dubuque community for their yearly Halloween 
decorations that were covered by the local newspaper. Michael is a 
member of the Monument Builders of North America, where he served as 
president from 1999 until 2000. He has also been a member and served as 
the president of the Monument Builders of Iowa. Brannon Monument 
Company has been involved with local philanthropic efforts in the 
Dubuque community, including Rotary International, Mercy Service Club, 
Alzheimer's Association, Oldorf Hospice House, and the Boys and Girls 
Club. In 2023, Brannon Monument Company celebrated its 97th business 
anniversary.
  Brannon Monument Company's commitment to providing high-quality 
memorials in northeast Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate Michael 
and Stasia Brannon, Mary Lou Brannon, and the entire team at Brannon 
Monument Company for their dedication to the Dubuque community. I look 
forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

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