[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22538-22539]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RANDI'S CLEANERS: SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2003

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I rise to name Randi's Cleaners the Small 
Business of the Month for September 2003 for the Fourth Congressional 
District of New York.
  September 15-20 is National Small Business Week. I am excited to 
celebrate the contributions of local businesses on Long Island through 
the inauguration of a new Small Business of the Month program. Many in 
our community know that small businesses are the backbone of Long 
Island's economic well being. As the national economy struggles to stay 
afloat, the energy, flexibility and innovation of our local small 
businesses have become essential. It is time to spotlight some of these 
businesses' extraordinary achievements and contributions.
  Randi's Cleaners, located in my hometown of Mineola, is a successful 
small business and an excellent addition to our community on Long 
Island. Known throughout Mineola as friendly and reliable, Randi's 
Cleaners also has a reputation for community improvement. Every year, 
Randi's Cleaners hosts a two-month-long ``Coats for Kids'' Drive, 
during which time members of the community donate their coats for 
people in need.

[[Page 22539]]

  Arthur Epstein, Chairman of Randi's Cleaners' ``Coats for Kids'' 
Drive, has been collecting coats for both children and adults for 20 
years. Originally, Arthur collected donations from individual dry 
cleaners. In 2000, he launched the ``Coats for Kids'' Drive as a 
community-wide effort. This fall, he expects donations from hundreds of 
individuals, schools, municipalities and private organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Arthur Epstein and everyone at Randi's Cleaners 
for their hard work in making their annual ``Coats for Kids'' Drive an 
overwhelming success.

                          ____________________