[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9756]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          TRIBUTE TO IKE LIBBY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Mr. Ike 
Libby, who, with his company Hometown Energy, has worked tirelessly to 
ease the burdens of rising home heating costs for the people of my home 
State.
  Founded in 2004 by Ike Libby and Gene Ellis, who handles the business 
aspects of the company and owns a variety store next door, Hometown 
Energy of Dixfield, ME, supplies heating oil to a region that knows 
just how cold winter can be. With seven employees, Hometown Energy is a 
quintessential local small business. Known for its long, harsh winter 
season, Maine's heating oil providers not only sell a product, they 
serve as barrier between Mainers and the biting cold.
  Relationships and care are at the heart of the Hometown Energy 
service structure, where, in true neighborly spirit, it is more crucial 
to ensure that customers are taken care of than to adhere to a 
stringent payment plan. Hometown Energy will often waive service fees 
and structure payments to give as much leeway as possible during the 
coldest months when resources are at a premium and ability to pay the 
high costs of energy may be scarce. It is this devotion to a customer-
first philosophy that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of Maine 
small businesses. The flexibility and understanding exhibited by 
Hometown Energy has proven vital to many in these difficult economic 
times.
  Hometown Energy's efforts to assist Mainers was given national 
attention this year when they were featured by the New York Times 
article ``In Fuel Oil Country, Cold That Cuts To The Heart,'' which 
detailed the difficulties of home heating during the trying northern 
winters. Since the article ran, donations have been pouring in to 
Hometown Energy to assist in covering the costs of heating oil. More 
than $250,000 in donations have been sent by contributors from around 
the world. The kindhearted response and outreach has been so great that 
Hometown Energy has developed a Web site specifically dedicated to 
receiving these contributions.
  For his immeasurable compassion and commitment to serving the people 
of his community, Mr. Libby has been recently recognized by Dixfield's 
Board of Selectmen as Dixfield's Distinguished Citizen for 2012. There 
can be no doubt that this honor is well-deserved by Mr. Libby, who has 
generously given his time, energy, and very self. Through his efforts, 
he has profoundly touched the lives of so many in his community.
  Congratulations to Ike Libby on being named Dixfield's Distinguished 
Citizen for 2012. Mr. Libby and everyone at Hometown Energy's kindness 
and selfless dedication to assisting the most vulnerable truly warms my 
heart. I extend my most sincere gratitude for their steadfast service 
and offer them my best wishes for continued success.

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