July 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 126 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING RECIPIENTS OF THE INAUGURAL THIRD DISTRICT YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR 
                                 AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, today I honor five individuals 
and businesses from Nebraska for receiving the Inaugural Third District 
Young Entrepreneur Awards.
  Throughout the 75 counties of the Third District, entrepreneurs and 
innovators are working hard to grow opportunity in our state.
  In May, I called for nominations as part of a new initiative to 
recognize the young individuals, businesses, and organizations in the 
Third District who strengthen their communities through fresh ideas, 
hard work, and entrepreneurship.
  Papa Moon Vineyards of Scottsbluff began in 2007 as a grape growing 
hobby for the Massey family, and has since evolved into an absolute 
passion for grape cultivation and craft-wine production. Over the next 
several years, their passion evolved into a family business. Named for 
the moniker the youngest Massey family member gave his grandfather, 
winery owner Jim, it has truly become a family project. The Masseys 
opened their tasting room in 2018 to share their passion for 
viticulture and love of winemaking. They are a proud family-owned farm 
winery, with a focus on the cultivation and production of high quality 
product.
  Upstream Farms of Albion, is led by brothers Matthew and Joseph 
Brugger. They work every day to bring new meaning to the phrase, ``Farm 
to Table.'' The Bruggers co-founded Upstream with the goal of 
establishing better rural communities. They saw few opportunities for 
young people to become involved in agriculture, and wanted to create a 
business that would inspire young agriculturalists and entrepreneurs to 
pursue their passion in a rural community. To demonstrate their desire 
to embrace their vision, Upstream is more than just a traditional farm. 
Upstream strives to demonstrate diversification through action, 
offering services in agronomy, technical innovation, resale of market 
ready produce, and angus products.
  Striv Inc. of Henderson, is Jed by Taylor Siebert. He discovered his 
passion for sharing stories when he started the Heartland Beat, an 
online blog and newsletter, to reach out to alumni of Heartland 
Community School. This experience inspired Taylor to explore other 
avenues for schools and their alumni to create and share content. This 
discovery process led to the founding of Striv Inc. in 2012. Today, 
Striv Inc. has taught hundreds of students the necessary skills to 
provide high quality streaming access and coverage of school events and 
activities for their schools and communities. The business currently 
provides educational and streaming services to over 100 school 
districts in Nebraska. Ever the innovator, Siebert has never stopped 
creating. The purpose of his latest development, ``Class Intercom,'' is 
to help school districts more effectively utilize social media to 
maximize connection, promotion, and information sharing in their 
communities. Taylor could have created his internet-driven business in 
any state in the country. He chose to come back to Nebraska, back to 
his hometown, and invest his talents in training tomorrow's leaders and 
creating a better version of the, ``The Good Life.''
  The Medina Street Vault Coffeehouse & Bistro of Cairo is owned by 
Jenna Schweitzer. Through the experiences of her high school job as 
barista, owner Jenna Schweitzer realized her life's passion was coffee. 
She knew she wanted to open her own coffee shop, and to attempt to 
share her passion with her hometown. In 2017, thanks to Jenna's vision, 
hard work, and the support of her family she opened her coffee shop and 
bistro in a former bank building in Cairo, and strategically selected 
her food and drink menu to ensure she complemented, and supported other 
local businesses. Schweitzer feels The Vault has become an experience 
area residents turn to when they want a place to meet their friends, 
relax, and lose two or three hours in conversation. Her goal of 
creating a family-centered environment to share her passion with others 
has become a reality.
  Game On of McCook is owned by Cody Dame. Thanks to a 2007 submission 
to the Hormel Business Plan Competition permanently changed his 
professional direction. Winning the business plan competition allowed 
him to transition from owning his own traveling videography and disc 
jockey service to pursuing his passion of building a community through 
creating a fun and experiential environment for all ages. Quickly 
growing from a 1,000 square foot retail space to a much larger location 
in the community of McCook, Cody has expanded into the communities of 
North Platte, Kearney, and Grand Island as well. Game On has become a 
successful regional retail business, committed to strengthening the 
communities in which they are present.
  I am proud to recognize each of these award winners today, and I 
thank them for their many contributions to Nebraska.

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