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[Page S2740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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RECOGNIZING BURGERS' SMOKEHOUSE
Mr. HAWLEY. Mr. President, as a member of the Senate Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to recognize
a family-owned small business that is dedicated to its customers,
employees, and community. In honor of the U.S. Small Business
Administration's National Small Business Week, it is my pleasure to
name Burgers' Smokehouse of California, MO, as the Senate Small
Business of the Day.
Burgers' Smokehouse began in 1927 with E.M. Burger, a man who decided
to use his mother's recipe to start curing hams for himself. Though
this was a time with limited potential for a meat business, Burger sold
six hams in his first year and then doubled to 12 hams in his second
year. From there, E.M. Burger started employing the help of his family
to grow his business to its official launch in 1952 when they opened
their first ``Ham House'' in California, MO. This opening would lead
them to become the first country cured meat company in the United
States to receive Federal inspection just 4 years later in 1956 which
allowed them to ship meat between State borders.
Today, Burgers' Smokehouse is now operated by the third and fourth
generation of the Burger family and has become one of the Nation's
leading provider of cured meats. Burgers' Smokehouse now employs over
200 people and operates two locations, the original ``Ham House'' in
California, and a newly opened second facility in Springfield, MO. The
company distributes over 12 million pounds of products each year and
supplies restaurants such as Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel, and Waffle
House. This success was not only due to the quality of their product,
but also to the utilization of the latest technology. Burgers'
Smokehouse has been recognized in several magazines and newspapers for
the cutting-edge innovations used in their production and food safety
processes.
In addition to the excellence within Burgers' Smokehouse's walls, the
Burger family is intentional about being excellent to those outside of
their walls. Employees participate yearly in the Moniteau County Relay
for Life. Burgers' Smokehouse has raised over $100,000 to help fight
cancer through this effort. In 2006, Burgers' Smokehouse also sent care
packages, which included some of their sandwiches, to U.S. soldiers
overseas. Today, they still offer free shipping to anyone who will
place an order to a military post. Aside from Burgers' Smokehouse's
direct charity, the Burger family also set up a foundation under E.M.
Burger's name, the founder of Burgers' Smokehouse. This foundation
specializes in gifts to the arts and education and frequently gives
grants to the Moniteau County school system.
Burgers' Smokehouse embodies the traits of a true family-owned
business. Armed only with his mother's recipe, E.M. Burger sold just
six hams in his first year. Ninety-two years later, the third and
fourth generations of the Burger family operate his legacy selling over
600,000 hams a year to people all over the country. As a result of the
hard work this family and their employees have put in, Burgers'
Smokehouse has been the recipient of numerous awards and visited by
President Eisenhower, Hank Williams, Jr., and Johnny Carson. It is my
distinct pleasure to honor Burgers' Smokehouse as the Senate Small
Business of the Day. You make Missouri proud, and I look forward to
watching your continued growth and success.
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