[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9005]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING BYRON BJORKLUND AND SHORT STOP CUSTOM CATERING OF ST. 
 CLOUD, MINNESOTA AS THE U.S. SBA MINNESOTA SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the U.S. 
Small Business Administration Minnesota Business of the Year, Short 
Stop Custom Catering, owned by Byron Bjorklund of St. Cloud, Minnesota. 
Bjorklund was inspired by a college class assignment to write a paper 
on running a business. From that paper, Bjorklund opened Short Stop 
restaurant in east St. Cloud and three years later, a second location 
in west St. Cloud.
  Bjorklund was only a senior in college when he opened his first 
business, and a growing business coupled with a growing family had 
Bjorklund looking for options that would keep him in an industry and 
business he loved, while also allowing him to enjoy his family life. 
Opening up Short Stop Custom Catering in 1995 provided him with the 
freedom and security that so many entrepreneurs and business owners 
appreciate.
  But, Bjorklund's story does not end there. Bjorklund opened his 
restaurant as a training facility for students with special needs. 
Bjorklund was particularly touched by one student with Down syndrome 
who returned to work at the place he loved so much even after 
graduating high school. Later, Bjorklund and his wife would discover 
their fifth child had Down syndrome and the circumstances ignited a 
passion for working with the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota. 
Since 1999, Short Stop Custom Catering has catered the annual Buddy 
Walk while Bjorklund recruited donations to make the event free to the 
participants; over 5,000 people last year alone.
  Today, Short Stop Custom Catering is a staple in the St. Cloud 
community, serving as an exclusive caterer to many local businesses for 
events and daily meals. Small businesses are the backbone and lifeblood 
of our neighborhoods and business owners like Byron Bjorklund remind us 
all of the difference one individual can make in a community.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Byron Bjorklund not just for the 
innovation and entrepreneurial spirit he displays, but also to ask that 
this body also recognize his commendable service to the St. Cloud 
community and the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.ome 
Association of Minnesota.

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