[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7155]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO ANITA COVERT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Anita Covert on being named Michigan's Small Business Person of the 
Year by the United States Small Business Administration.
  In 1982 Anita Covert realized her dream of owning a small business by 
opening her first quilt shop in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Today, Anita 
maintains four quilt shops located in east Lansing, Flint, Jackson and 
Owosso, Michigan with 60 total employees. Anita has always maintained a 
commitment to her staff, even helping employees achieve the American 
dream by starting their own small business.
  Anita Covert's business, Country Stitches, Ltd., is the third largest 
dealer of high-quality Viking Sewing Machines and has become the eighth 
largest Pfaff Sewing Machine dealer in the nation. Country Stitches has 
also been honored as one of the top ten quilt shops in the nation by 
Better Homes and Gardens.
  Since 1982, Anita Covert has served as a job provider and community 
leader. I commend her for her commitment to mid-Michigan and wish her 
continued success. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Anita Covert for being named 
Small Business Person of the Year by the United States Small Business 
Administration.

                          ____________________