[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 84 (Monday, May 19, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2968-S2969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO KIMBERLY STINSON

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and 
recognize Kimberly Stinson of Bismarck on being named Arkansas's 2025 
Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business 
Administration.
  As the owner of Lil Lions Daycare, Stinson has distinguished herself 
as a dedicated, active community leader and businesswoman.
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stinson recognized that her community 
in Hot Spring County was in need of a licensed childcare center when 
she herself struggled to provide care for her young grandchildren. 
Realizing that other families were facing a similar situation, she took 
action, working with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology 
Development Center to craft a business plan and secure financing that 
included an SBA-backed loan.
  By October of 2021, Stinson opened Lil Lions Daycare's doors after 
creating an exciting, safe environment for children to learn and play. 
Her husband Brian helped with building and construction--both pushing 
ahead in the face of adversity.
  But the work did not end with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Stinson 
continued to pursue and secure grants that helped her operation care 
for even more children, including those in foster care and low-income 
households during a time when local families needed this critical 
assistance the most.
  Having no prior professional childcare experience, Stinson took it 
upon herself to complete over 400 hours of childcare courses and 
trainings through Arkansas State University. She then applied her new 
knowledge to develop a social-emotional learning curriculum that 
prioritizes mental, social, and physical growth.
  Stinson has proved herself to be a passionate, empathetic 
entrepreneur with an eye for business and heart for community. Lil 
Lions has received recognition not only for its positive reputation, 
but for the unwavering care and personal investment Stinson and her 
team pour into the well-being of children.

[[Page S2969]]

  Congratulations again to Kimberly Stinson and her team at Lil Lions 
Daycare, as this exceptional distinction is a result of their 
outstanding efforts. We are proud to celebrate her and the successes 
that have made Lil Lions a cornerstone of her community.

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