[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING SMITH & WESSON

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Smith & 
Wesson in Houlton, ME--an Aroostook County economic anchor and an 
undeniable beacon for businesses in our great State and the Nation, 
especially in these precarious economic times. Indeed, the name Smith & 
Wesson has been synonymous with excellence since 1852, and I am proud 
to say it has been part of Maine's history since 1966 when the Houlton 
facility first opened its doors.
  Over the Easter recess, I was privileged to visit the Smith & Wesson 
plant where its employees, in demonstrating their meticulous 
craftsmanship in manufacturing handcuffs and handguns, truly exemplify 
Maine's legendary work ethic and can-do spirit. As I toured the 
facility and spoke with these committed team members, I had the 
opportunity to learn about the vital role they play in assembling their 
products--and I couldn't help but beam with pride in their dedication 
to their craft. Their inexhaustible energy was palpable throughout 
their newly expanded plant, which now allows for shifts 24 hours a day, 
7 days a week.
  I was also impressed to meet and speak with Smith & Wesson's plant 
manager, Terry Wade, who has been with the branch since 1972. Terry 
clearly is deeply devoted to his work as he labors side by side with 
his employees. A humble individual who credits even his own successes 
to others, Terry is a force for innovation--and as I discovered, he 
invented a handcuff model, currently being produced by the company, for 
which he holds a patent. Terry is a shining testament to the loyalty 
and drive of Houlton's Smith & Wesson workers, many of whom have been 
there for more than 20 years.
  And let me just say, what began over 40 years ago as a small 
manufacturing arm of the larger parent company--making parts for 
revolver assembly and shipping just one 40-pound box of parts a week 
from a 2,000 square foot building--has evolved steadily from a staff of 
18 to today's 160 dedicated men and women who are second to none. In 
fact, the Houlton plant just completed a hiring phase which, frankly, 
is outstanding when we consider the tenuous state of our economy and 
the herculean challenge of creating jobs. Individuals and families are 
still experiencing the troubling effects of the worst recession since 
World War II, with unemployment hovering near 10 percent nationwide, so 
I and, indeed, all of us in this Chamber cannot commend the Houlton 
facility enough for bucking this trend and hiring more staff.
  In addition to developing Smith & Wesson's exemplary line of 
restraints, the Houlton plant also makes all of the company's semi-
automatic rimfire pistols, the Walther PPK and PPK/S, and the SW1911 
Series pistols. Due in large part to the exceptional team in Houlton, 
Smith & Wesson ranks first in the supply of restraints to law 
enforcement and their weapons are highly sought after by police 
agencies, security divisions, and military organizations--who surely 
all recognize the invaluable expertise and reliable quality that goes 
into each item.
  The accomplishments of this phenomenal enterprise in Maine are 
remarkable. In March 2009, the plant reached an extraordinary milestone 
when after 30 years of producing high quality handcuffs, it made its 
six millionth pair. What a landmark occasion for a signature product 
used worldwide. And with the recent increase in the workforce--not to 
mention an impressive half-million dollar expansion to their firing 
range--Smith & Wesson in Houlton was recently named Houlton Business of 
the Year for 2009--a well-deserved accolade.
  President Theodore Roosevelt once said that, ``far and away the best 
prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth 
doing.'' Those words could not ring more true as we recognize this 
American success story. Smith & Wesson could not be more emblematic of 
the world-class industry and workforces that are associated with our 
great State of Maine. No wonder our State motto is ``Dirigo'' or ``I 
lead,'' as that is just what this Smith & Wesson plant in Houlton has 
been doing for more than 44 years.

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