[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1935]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING MAINE STITCHING SPECIALTIES

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the success 
of Maine Stitching Specialties, a fast-growing company that is quickly 
establishing itself as an important business in the Skowhegan 
manufacturing community. During the first week of March, Maine 
Stitching Specialties' founders, Bill and Julie Swain, will celebrate a 
major step forward in the expansion of their company as they team up 
with Wal-Mart to sell their premium textile goods. The company will 
commemorate this milestone with a ceremonial loading of the first truck 
and a celebratory farewell as the first shipment of goods departs to be 
sold at Wal-Mart stores.
  Bill and Julie Swain founded their pet products company, Dogs Not 
Gone, 8 years ago, and since then, their business has expanded to 
employ 22 people at their new Maine Stitching Specialties manufacturing 
facility. Their successful expansion 15 months ago set Bill and Julie 
apart from their competition, and today their company is one of the 
largest in Skowhegan.
  Maine Stitching Specialties' commitment to local manufacturing and 
high-quality products has garnered respect from numerous mainstream 
retail stores. In recent years, Bill and Julie have had the opportunity 
to sell their products to well-established companies like L.L. Bean and 
now Wal-Mart. Their reputation for manufacturing durable products and 
their commitment to the traditions and spirit of our State will ensure 
that Maine Stitching Specialties continues to grow and prosper.
  Bill and Julie represent a strong community of small business owners 
who are devoted to boosting our State's economy and creating jobs in 
local communities. Manufacturing is at the heart of industry in Maine, 
and the success of hard-working people like Bill and Julie helps our 
State remain economically competitive.
  I would like to recognize and congratulate Bill and Julie on their 
success and ongoing commitment to producing high-quality goods. Our 
State owes Maine Stitching Specialties a great deal of thanks for their 
vision and dedication and for their social and economic contributions 
to the people of Maine and to our economy. I look forward to Bill and 
Julie's continued success over the coming years and to watching Maine 
Stitching Specialties grow and thrive.

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