[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4855-4856]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARK TOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Park Tool 
in Oakdale, Minnesota, on the occasion of the company's 50th 
anniversary. Park Tool is a Minnesota success story, growing from a 
small family owned company to the world's leading manufacturer of 
bicycle tools exporting American made products around the globe.
  Necessity breeds invention, and the need for good and reliable 
bicycle repair tools forged the beginnings of Park Tool. In 1963, two 
bike shop owners, Howard Hawkins and Art Engstrom, lacked adequate 
equipment to make repairs in their shop so they started inventing their 
own tools. Their creativity and innovation produced the tools that 
helped to transform the bicycle repair industry. One of their first 
inventions was a stand to allow easier access to complete repairs, 
which was awarded a patent in 1976. Park Tool quickly expanded, and 
many patents later, began building wheel truing stands, repair stands 
and consumer tools. By the early 1980's the retail shops that started 
the company were sold to concentrate on manufacturing tools. Park Tool 
continues to help define the industry and its success has led to the 
opening of its new factory and headquarters, which is opening this 
month in Oakdale, Minnesota.
  It is fitting that Minnesota is home of Park Tool, because it is one 
of the most bike friendly states in the nation. The American Trails 
organization named Minnesota the ``Best Trails State,'' because of our 
state's leadership in development of a major system of bike trails, 
paths and commuter routes on roads--not to mention our abundance of 
beautiful lakes, rivers and parks. As more Minnesotans and

[[Page 4856]]

more Americans rely on bikes for transportation to work and for 
enjoyment, many in our community and across our state and country 
depend on Park Tool to produce the high quality tools that keep their 
bikes in top shape.
  Park Tool is a company that shares its success by giving back to 
people and communities. The company has supported ``Ride 2 Recovery'' 
which helps veterans with cycling based rehabilitation programs, as 
well as with programs that promote safe and fun cycling around the 
United States. The ``Earn-A-Bike'' program and ``Bike Shop at School'' 
teaches students the mechanical fundamentals of bicycle assembly and 
repair while fostering environmental stewardship and healthy living. 
The company has also partnered with ``Trips for Kids'' which helps at-
risk youth by organizing mountain bike rides in their 80 chapter 
communities around the United States, Canada, and Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to in honor the dedicated 
employees of Park Tool in celebration of 50 years of commitment to 
providing high quality tools and equipment for cyclists around the 
world.

                          ____________________