Recognizing Mercedes Scientific (Cong. Rec., June 24, 2020)
Summary
Page S3203 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for June 24, 2020, headed Recognizing Mercedes Scientific, in interleaved columns. One tribute honors Kim, who pushed Congressional Budget Office analysts to dig deeper, and a speaker from Alaska describes Nome as 2000 miles closer to the North Pole than to New York City. The speaker recalls the Crystal Serenity calling on the Port of Nome in 2016. The recognition says Mercedes Scientific donates medical supplies to local organizations, supports international nonprofit missions and is active in its community.
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“Recognizing Mercedes Scientific (Cong. Rec., June 24, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-24-crec-2020-06-24-pt1-pgs3203-2-a64280b995/
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June 24, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3203
guidance and training, a generation of For those of you who have never had plies to local organizations and busi-
CBO analysts think harder, dig deeper, the fortune to visit Nome, there are nesses, as well as educational institu-
and ask more probing questions when only three ways to get there from An- tions nationwide. The company sup-
analyzing the estimated the costs of chorage—airplane, boat, and dog sled. ports international nonprofit missions,
legislation. Kim set high standards for Nome is 2000 miles closer to the North such as helping medical facilities re-
himself and for the Natural Resources Pole than to New York City, and in cover from natural disasters. Closer to
Unit, and we are confident that they 2016 when the Crystal Serenity called on home, Mercedes Scientific is a team
will continue to provide timely and the Port of Nome during its maiden build partner with Habitat for Human-
thorough analyses for the Congress voyage from Seward to Manhattan, the ity in Sarasota, FL. They also work
thanks to what they have learned mayor was there to greet these in- with the Lakewood Ranch Business Al-
under Kim’s leadership. trepid Arctic adventurers. I had the liance to promote local economic de-
I, along with House Budget Com- privilege to travel with Richard to velopment.
mittee Chairman JOHN YARMUTH, wish many Arctic conferences, and it was a Like many small businesses in Flor-
to thank Kim for his years of dedicated joy to watch as he shared his vision for ida, Mercedes Scientific experienced
service to the Congress and extend to Arctic tourism and a positive future supply chain disruptions due to the
him our best wishes for a well-deserved for this fascinating and challenging coronavirus pandemic. As a medical
retirement. part of the world. supply company, they play a critical
f The mayor was a passionate cham- role in securing laboratory supplies,
pion of the Iditarod and I last saw him PPE, and COVID–19 test kits. Mercedes
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS on Saturday, March 7, in Anchorage at Scientific works tirelessly with labora-
the ceremonial start of the race. He tories and hospitals in Florida and
REMEMBERING RICHARD had just been released from the hos- throughout the Nation to ensure they
BENEVILLE pital, having persuaded his doctors and receive the resources needed to combat
nurses that the ‘‘show must go on’’ to the pandemic.
∑ Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I be there for the festivities. When the U.S. Small Business Ad-
rise today to honor the legacy of a He loved people, the arts, flowers, ministration launched the Paycheck
friend and one of Alaska’s truly unique and above all, Nome to the end. His Protection Program, PPP, Mercedes
individuals, the mayor of Nome, Rich- passing is a true loss for my State. I Scientific applied for funding. The PPP
ard Beneville. We lost the mayor last will miss his boundless enthusiasm and provides forgivable loans to impacted
month when he succumbed to pneu- his trademark greeting to all he ran small businesses and nonprofits who
monia in the town he called home for into, ‘‘Hello Central!’’∑ maintain their payroll during the
more than 32 years. Richard’s life story
f COVID–19 pandemic. Thanks to a PPP
was colorful. He left New York City as loan, Mercedes Scientific was able to
a young man struggling with alco- RECOGNIZING MERCEDES
SCIENTIFIC keep their 67 employees paid and re-
holism and searching for a new life. main focused on its mission sourcing
Alaska was as far away as he could go, ∑ Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chair- medical supplies.
and he often said Alaska saved him. He man of the Senate Committee on Small Mercedes Scientific is a notable ex-
spent a few years in Barrow before Business and Entrepreneurship, each ample of the key role small businesses
moving to Nome in 1988, and I think it week I recognize a small business that play in America’s medical supply
is fair to say that the town has never exemplifies the American entrepre- chains. I commend their continued
been the same since. His career began neurial spirit at the heart of our coun- work to provide essential hospital and
on Broadway, and Richard channeled try. It is my privilege to recognize a laboratory supplies as the United
his creative energy to inspire youth woman-owned small business that pro- States confronts the coronavirus pan-
and adults in Nome through the Nome vides critical medical supplies to hos- demic. Congratulations to Noelle, Rob,
Arts Council. He directed more than pitals and laboratories nationwide. Alex, and the whole team. I look for-
three dozen plays, including ‘‘The This week, it is my pleasure to honor ward to your continued success,
Sound of Music,’’ ‘‘Music Man,’’ and Mercedes Scientific of Lakewood growth, and success in the Lakewood
‘‘Fiddler on the Roof,’’ and inspired Ranch, FL, as the Senate Small Busi- Ranch area.∑
generations in the community to ap- ness of the Week.
preciate the stage. In 1991, Noelle Haft and Hank f
Ever the showman, Richard was a Traynor founded Mercedes Scientific in MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT
tireless ambassador for Nome and Arc- New Hyde Park, NY. The two were vet-
tic tourism. He founded Nome Dis- Messages from the President of the
erans of the medical supply industry,
covery Tours in 1994, and he never United States were communicated to
combining their scientific expertise
missed an opportunity to promote the Senate by Ms. Ridgway, one of his
and knowledge of laboratory distribu-
Nome and the surrounding region and secretaries.
tion to start their own small business.
its rich history. Watching him enter- At the time, it was known as Mercedes f
tain a tour group with tales of Nome’s Medical. Drawn by the weather and EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED
early gold mining days, while he dem- welcoming business regulations, Mer-
onstrated how to pan for gold, audience cedes Medical relocated to Florida in As in executive session the Presiding
captivated, was a real treasure. 1993. When Hank retired, Noelle and Officer laid before the Senate messages
For the past 41⁄2 years, he served as her husband, Rob, continued running from the President of the United
mayor of Nome, and there was no bet- the company along with their daugh- States submitting sundry nominations
ter cheerleader for this remote commu- ter, Alex Miller. which were referred to the Committee
nity. Some of my colleagues may recall Over the next few decades, Mercedes on Armed Services.
running into him in the halls of the Medical remained a family-owned com- (The messages received today are
Hart and Dirksen Buildings, wearing pany as it grew into a notable medical printed at the end of the Senate pro-
his signature ‘‘Hello Central’ knit hat, supplier. The company moved into ceedings.)
a Port of Nome, vest and always sport- their Lakewood Ranch facility in 2018 f
ing his I love Nome! button. Never shy, and expanded to provide laboratory
Richard would greet Senators, staff, equipment and personal protective EXECUTIVE AND OTHER
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
and visitors alike, quickly asking them equipment, PPE. They rebranded as COMMUNICATIONS
how their day was and what they were Mercedes Scientific in 2019 due to their The following communications were
up to as he worked the halls and made growing focus on serving the research, laid before the Senate, together with
new friends. His friendly banter and laboratory, and scientific commu- accompanying papers, reports, and doc-
genuine interest in people was refresh- nities. uments, and were referred as indicated:
ing in an environment all too often Mercedes Scientific is active in the EC–4871. A communication from the Fed-
filled with hustle and tension. community. They donate medical sup- eral Register Liaison Officer, Office of the
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