[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 59 (Monday, April 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING BROWNELL, INC.

 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 
Brownells of Grinnell, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  In 1938, Frank ``Bob'' Brownell II founded Brownells in Montezuma, 
IA. He owned and operated a gas station and sandwich shop in Montezuma 
in addition to being an avid gunsmithing hobbyist. Bob combined his 
business experience with his passion and founded Brownells to fill a 
niche in the gunsmithing industry: selling hard-to-find gunsmithing 
tools to other gunsmiths. In 1947, Brownells began printing their 
catalog, and by 1951, he had shifted the business from a gunsmith store 
to a gunsmith product supplier. In 1973, Brownells moved their 
headquarters to a larger location in Montezuma until 2014 and have 
since moved to nearby Grinnell. Brownells current location in Grinnell 
includes a 200,000-square-foot warehouse, corporate offices, and a 
retail store that opened in 2016. Today, Brownells maintains a supply 
of over 50,000 gun parts. They supply and ship their products across 
the world.
  Three generations of the Brownell family have worked at the company. 
Bob's son Frank joined Brownells in 1964 and became president in 1983 
after Bob became chairman of the board. Before working at Brownells, 
Frank Brownell served in the U.S. Navy. Frank's son Pete joined the 
family business in 1997 and became vice president in 2000. In 2008, 
Pete became president, with his father serving as the chief executive 
officer. Bob Brownell passed away in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of 
hard work, community involvement, and dedication to the firearm 
industry.
  Brownells is actively involved in both the Poweshiek County community 
and the national firearm industry. Pete Brownell previously served on 
the board of the National Rifle Association--NRA--and served as 
president of the NRA from 2017 until 2018. In 2014, Frank Brownell 
received the NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award for his continued 
dedication to the firearm industry. Pete Brownell has also been 
involved in the Grinnell College Ignite Program, a yearly program that 
brings students from prekindergarten to eighth grade experience 
workshops at the college. Brownells celebrated its 85th business 
anniversary in 2024.
  Brownells' commitment to providing high-quality gunsmithing tools 
while maintaining its Poweshiek County roots is clear. I want to 
congratulate the Brownell family and the entire team at Brownells for 
their continued dedication to the firearm industry. I look forward to 
seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

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