[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12646]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                2013 AROOSTOOK ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, I wish to commend David A. Harbison, 
Jr., and his company, Bison Pumps, for being named the 2013 Aroostook 
Entrepreneur of the Year. Bison Pumps, located in Houlton, ME, both 
designs and manufactures hand-powered water pumps. These impressive and 
elegant devices provide reliable access to well water without the need 
for any electricity.
  The first Bison pump was born out of necessity during Maine's Great 
Ice Storm of 1998, which crippled parts of Maine for several weeks. 
Over half of our State lost power, some areas for more than 2 weeks. 
Like many Mainers faced with adversity, Mr. Harbison and his team of 
plumbers responded to disaster with resilience and innovation. They 
designed and built what would be the first Bison hand pump, which 
allowed people whose electric pumps were inoperable in the aftermath of 
the storm to access the water in their wells. Since 1998, this timely 
and resourceful design has gained international appeal and application.
  Now a strong and growing business with 12 employees, Bison Pumps 
sells its polished stainless steel products around the country and all 
over the world. From the woods of northern Maine to the hustle and 
bustle of Singapore, these pumps are making a difference by allowing 
people to access well water without electricity. Just recently, a 
ministry organization bought one of the pumps, which is now helping 
them provide much needed clean water to people in Haiti.
  We have many great small businesses in Maine, and the 2013 Aroostook 
Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner, Mr. Harbison and Bison Pumps, is 
certainly one of them. Bison Pumps represents the bold, free-thinking 
spirit that defines the State of Maine. I am proud to join in 
recognizing their ingenuity, and I expect they will continue to impress 
us--both in Maine and around the world with their superb 
products.

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