Recognizing Fresco Foods, Inc. (Cong. Rec., Sept. 15, 2020)

Summary

Page S5603 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for September 15, 2020, under Morning Business. It prints a tribute noting that Sergeant Brown received the Utah Medal of Valor from Governor Herbert, and a tribute to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne by Scott of South Carolina, saying Payne received the Medal of Honor. A speaker names Fresco Foods, Inc., of Tampa, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week, and says Rob and Tracy Povolny founded the company in 2014 after Rob was laid off by a corporate food seller. The page later lists House-passed acts, including post office designations and an act to reauthorize the State Trade Expansion Program of the Small Business Administration.

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“Recognizing Fresco Foods, Inc. (Cong. Rec., Sept. 15, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-15-crec-2020-09-15-pt1-pgs5603-5-bf14a50960/, SHA-256 1a688e77458204b40fb0fe0dff6d07b358d48da3d68fecc61b7efbb0d17c9791.

Full text

September 15, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5603
LEGISLATIVE SESSION lie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Small Business and Entrepreneurship,
Artillery, Sergeant Brown has dedi- each week I recognize a small business
cated his career to serving our country. that exemplifies the American entre-
MORNING BUSINESS Today, we are lucky to have his service preneurial spirit at the heart of our
Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I ask in the Utah National Guard, and our country. Today, I am delighted to rec-
unanimous consent that the Senate State is safer as a result. For his her- ognize a small business that provides
proceed to legislative session for a pe- oism, Governor Herbert awarded Ser- healthy prepackaged meals and fosters
riod of morning business, with Sen- geant Brown with the Utah Medal of community development. This week, it
ators permitted to speak therein for up Valor, the highest level of recognition is my privilege to honor Fresco Foods,
to 10 minutes each. for distinguished service. This honor is Inc., of Tampa, FL, as the Senate
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without well-deserved, but the greatest reward Small Business of the Week.
objection, it is so ordered. is the gift of life that Sergeant Brown In 2014, Rob and Tracy Povolny
protected for the many civilians he founded Fresco Foods in Tampa, FL.
f saved that night amid terror and evil. When Rob was laid off by a corporate
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR The great people of the State of Utah food seller, he chose to pursue his goal
THOMAS P. PAYNE and our fellow Americans owe Sergeant of establishing a high-quality packaged
Chasen Brown a debt of gratitude for food company. Using their savings, re-
Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. his extraordinary courage under un- tirement, and some loans from friends
Madam President, today I would like imaginable circumstances. Thank you, and family, they rented space in an in-
to take a moment to recognize and Chasen. dustrial kitchen to create their recipes.
honor SGM Thomas P. Payne of
f That December, they began selling
Batesburg-Leesville and Lugoff. Just
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS their ‘‘Eat Fresco’’ meals at local
last week, on September 11, the 19th
mom-and-pop grocery stores. Their
anniversary of the painful attacks on
healthy, satisfying meals were an in-
American soil, Sergeant Major Payne
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE stant hit.
received the Medal of Honor, the coun- Six years later, Fresco Foods has
HEALY FOUNDATION
try’s highest recognition of military grown into a thriving company with
bravery for his outstanding efforts to ∑ Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam Presi-
dent, today I rise to recognize the more than 120 employees. In 2017, a
liberate dozens of hostages from ISIS U.S. Small Business Administration
captors during a rescue mission in Iraq. Healy Foundation as it celebrates 10
years of supporting and facilitating the 7(a) loan enabled Rob and Tracy to es-
In his 18-year career in the Army, tablish their own 12,000 square foot pro-
Sergeant Major Payne has deployed 17 quality education of remarkable stu-
dents across the country. duction facility, creating more than 100
times in support of Operation Enduring jobs. Their ingredients are sourced
Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Op- The James P. and Debra Fitzgerald
Healy Foundation was created in 2010 from a local distributor, and their
eration New Dawn, and Operation In- product packaging is eco-friendly. In
herent Resolve and to the U.S. Africa by Jim and Debra’s 10 children in
honor of their parents’ lifelong devo- 2018, Fresco Foods reached a major
Command area of responsibility. milestone when they began selling
Thomas ‘‘Patrick’’ Payne enlisted in tion to education. The couple dedicated
their lives to ensuring their children their products in a handful of Publix
the U.S. Army shortly after graduating stores. Today, Fresco Foods stock their
from Batesburg-Leesville High School received an outstanding education.
Both Jim, who passed away last year, ‘‘Eat Fresco’’ prepared meals in all
in 2002, and 13 years later, his efforts 1,252 Publix locations across seven
have saved the lives of many. He holds and Debra unfailingly demonstrated
the importance of a strong work ethic States. Additionally, they are working
several awards and decorations includ- to launch a prepackaged breakfast line
ing the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star through their tireless efforts on behalf
of their family at work and at home. later this year.
Medal with bronze ‘‘V’’ device, and Together, Rob and Tracy have
three bronze oakleaf clusters, the Pur- Based in Naugatuck, CT, the founda-
tion provides assistance to high-achiev- prioritized business mentorship and en-
ple Heart, and many, many more. sures Fresco Foods supports the com-
Sergeant Major Payne is currently ing college students who encounter un-
expected hardships and subsequently munity. Through podcasts and by con-
serving as an instructor assigned to the ducting workshops, Rob and Tracy
U.S. Army Special Operations Com- need financial help to continue their
education. This support has been essen- have shared their experiences, teaching
mand and is stationed at Fort Bragg, entrepreneurship to future small busi-
NC. I want to thank Sergeant Major tial for countless students who deserve
to finish their degrees, regardless of ness owners. Fresco Foods regularly
Payne for his service; South Carolina is donates to local organizations like
very proud to have such a brave hero. any obstacles they have encountered.
Now, as COVID–19 poses unprece- Feeding Tampa Bay. They also work
f dented health and financial challenges with Metropolitan Ministries to em-
in Connecticut and across the globe, ploy graduates of its culinary technical
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT CHASEN
the Healy Foundation’s work is more training program. For its success and
BROWN
necessary than ever. It is critical that innovation, Fresco Foods has been rec-
Mr. ROMNEY. Madam President, I education remains equitable and acces- ognized by local media and business
rise to recognize Sergeant Chasen sible to everyone, and the foundation outlets, including the Tampa Bay Busi-
Brown for his selfless demonstration of continues to uphold that mission, ness Journal.
bravery while providing lifesaving first awarding scholarships to 11 new stu- Like many Floridian small business,
aid to victims of senseless violence on dents this year. Fresco Foods jumped in to help their
the evening of October 1, 2017, in Las Committed to furthering a family community during the coronavirus
Vegas, NV. legacy by bolstering bright, deserving pandemic. As Florida went into
On that day, Sergeant Brown was young scholars, the Healy Foundation lockdown, philanthropic organizations
suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into sets a positive example of encouraging experienced a drop in donations as de-
a massacre of his fellow citizens. As and advancing well-earned education. I mand for their resources surged. Rob
bullets rained down indiscriminately applaud their accomplishments and and Tracy donated hundreds of ‘‘Eat
from above on innocent concert-goers, hope my colleagues will join me in con- Fresco’’ meals to homeless shelters and
Sergeantt Brown immediately began

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gratulating the Healy Foundation on 10 domestic violence shelters in the
delivering critical aid to dozens of years of helping others achieve their Tampa area.
wounded victims, saving countless academic dreams.∑ In April 2020, the U.S. Small Business
lives while placing his own life in ex- f Administration launched the Paycheck
traordinary danger. Protection Program, a small business
Bravery, sacrifice, and service to oth- RECOGNIZING FRESCO FOODS, INC. relief program that I was proud to au-
ers are not, however, novel concepts to ∑ Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as thor. The PPP provides forgivable
Sergeant Brown. As a gunner for Char- chairman of the Senate Committee on loans to impacted small businesses and

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S5604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 15, 2020
nonprofits who maintain their payroll Cupertino, California, as the ‘‘Petty Officer at 117 West Poythress Street in Hopewell,
during the COVID–19 pandemic. Rob 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson Post Virginia, as the ‘‘Reverend Curtis West Har-
and Tracy used their PPP loan, which Office Building’’. ris Post Office Building’’; to the Committee
H.R. 4734. An act to designate the facility on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
Fresco Foods received in April, to keep of the United States Postal Service located fairs.
all of their employees on payroll until at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, H.R. 3870. An act to designate the facility
Florida reopened. as the ‘‘Ernest ‘Ernie’ T. Pyle Post Office’’. of the United States Postal Service located
Fresco Foods, Inc., is a notable exam- H.R. 4785. An act to designate the facility at 511 West 165th Street in New York, New
ple of how small businesses can achieve of the United States Postal Service located York, as the ‘‘Normandia Maldonado Post
commercial success, and remain com- at 1305 U.S. Highway 90 West in Castroville, Office Building’’; to the Committee on
Texas, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
mitted to investing in their commu-
Rairdan Post Office’’. fairs.
nities. Congratulations to Rob, Tracy, H.R. 4034. An act to designate the facility
H.R. 4894. An act to amend the Federal
and the entire team at Fresco Foods. I Funding Accountability and Transparency of the United States Postal Service located
look forward to watching your contin- Act of 2006, to require the budget justifica- at 602 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton, Wash-
ued growth in Florida and beyond.∑ tions and appropriation requests of agencies ington, as the ‘‘John Henry Turpin Post Of-
be made publicly available. fice Building’’; to the Committee on Home-
f land Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 4975. An act to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 4200. An act to designate the facility
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
at 1201 Sycamore Square Drive in of the United States Postal Service located
At 11:27 a.m., a message from the Midlothian, Virginia, as the ‘‘Dorothy at 321 South 1st Street in Montrose, Colo-
House of Representatives, delivered by Braden Bruce Post Office Building’’. rado, as the ‘‘Sergeant David Kinterknecht
Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an- H.R. 5062. An act to designate the facility Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland
nounced that the House has passed the of the United States Postal Service located Security and Governmental Affairs.
H.R. 4672. An act to designate the facility
following bills, without amendment: at 9930 Conroy Windermere Road in
of the United States Postal Service located
S. 2193. An act to require the Adminis- Windermere, Florida, as the ‘‘Officer Robert
at 21701 Stevens Creek Boulevard in
trator of General Services to issue guidance German Post Office Building’’.
Cupertino, California, as the ‘‘Petty Officer
H.R. 5317. An act to designate the facility
to clarify that Federal agencies may pay by 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson Post
of the United States Postal Service located
charge card for the charging of Federal elec- Office Building’’; to the Committee on
at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston,
tric motor vehicles, and for other purposes. Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
Texas, as the ‘‘Deputy Sandeep Singh
S. 3105. An act to designate the facility of fairs.
Dhaliwal Post Office Building’’. H.R. 4785. An act to designate the facility
the United States Postal Service located at
H.R. 5384. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located
456 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis,
of the United States Postal Service located at 1305 U.S. Highway 90 West in Castroville,
Indiana, as the ‘‘Richard G. Lugar Post Of-
at 100 Crosby Street in Mansfield, Louisiana, Texas, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain
fice’’.
as the ‘‘Dr. C.O. Simpkins, Sr., Post Office’’. Rairdan Post Office’’; to the Committee on
The message also announced that the H.R. 5597. An act to designate the facility Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
House has passed the following bills, in of the United States Postal Service located fairs.
which it requests the concurrence of at 305 Northwest 5th Street in Oklahoma H.R. 4975. An act to designate the facility
the Senate: City, Oklahoma, as the ‘‘Clara Luper Post of the United States Postal Service located
Office Building’’. at 1201 Sycamore Square Drive in
H.R. 1668. An act to establish minimum se- H.R. 6021. An act to amend the Small Busi-
curity standards for Internet of Things de- Midlothian, Virginia, as the ‘‘Dorothy
ness Act to ensure that the Commonwealth Braden Bruce Post Office Building’’; to the
vices owned or controlled by the Federal of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible
Government, and for other purposes. Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
for certain Small Business Administration ernmental Affairs.
H.R. 2246. An act to designate the facility programs, and for other purposes.
of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 5062. An act to designate the facility
H.R. 6078. An act to amend the Small Busi- of the United States Postal Service located
at 201 West Cherokee Street in Brookhaven, ness Act to increase transparency and to en-
Mississippi, as the ‘‘Deputy Donald William at 9930 Conroy Windermere Road in
hance the use of microloans in rural areas, Windermere, Florida, as the ‘‘Officer Robert
Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman and for other purposes.
James White Memorial Post Office Build- German Post Office Building’’; to the Com-
H.R. 6079. An act to amend the Small Busi- mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
ing’’. ness Act to optimize the operations of the
H.R. 2575. An act to authorize an AI Center mental Affairs.
microloan program, lower costs for small H.R. 5317. An act to designate the facility
of Excellence within the General Services business concerns and intermediary partici- of the United States Postal Service located
Administration, and for other purposes. pants in the program, and for other purposes. at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston,
H.R. 2969. An act to designate the facility H.R. 6133. An act to reauthorize the State Texas, as the ‘‘Deputy Sandeep Singh
of the United States Postal Service located Trade Expansion Program of the Small Busi- Dhaliwal Post Office Building’’; to the Com-
at 1401 1st Street North in Winter Haven, ness Administration, and for other purposes. mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
Florida, as the ‘‘Althea Margaret Daily Mills
Post Office Building’’. f mental Affairs.
H.R. 5597. An act to designate the facility
H.R. 3275. An act to designate the facility MEASURES REFERRED of the United States Postal Service located
of the United States Postal Service located at 305 Northwest 5th Street in Oklahoma
at 340 Wetmore Avenue in Grand River, Ohio, The following bills were read the first
and the second times by unanimous City, Oklahoma, as the ‘‘Clara Luper Post
as the ‘‘Lance Corporal Andy ‘Ace’ Nowacki Office Building’’; to the Committee on
Post Office’’. consent, and referred as indicated:
Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
H.R. 3847. An act to designate the facility H.R. 2246. An act to designate the facility fairs.
of the United States Postal Service located of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 6021. An act to amend the Small Busi-
at 117 West Poythress Street in Hopewell, at 201 West Cherokee Street in Brookhaven, ness Act to ensure that the Commonwealth
Virginia, as the ‘‘Reverend Curtis West Har- Mississippi, as the ‘‘Deputy Donald William of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible
ris Post Office Building’’. Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman for certain Small Business Administration
H.R. 3870. An act to designate the facility James White Memorial Post Office Build- programs, and for other purposes; to the
of the United States Postal Service located ing’’; to the Committee on Homeland Secu- Committee on Small Business and Entrepre-
at 511 West 165th Street in New York, New rity and Governmental Affairs. neurship.
York, as the ‘‘Normandia Maldonado Post H.R. 2969. An act to designate the facility H.R. 6078. An act to amend the Small Busi-
Office Building’’. of the United States Postal Service located ness Act to increase transparency and to en-
H.R. 4034. An act to designate the facility at 1401 1st Street North in Winter Haven, hance the use of microloans in rural areas,
of the United States Postal Service located Florida, as the ‘‘Althea Margaret Daily Mills and for other purposes; to the Committee on
at 602 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton, Wash- Post Office Building’’; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
ington, as the ‘‘John Henry Turpin Post Of- Homeland Security and Governmental Af- H.R. 6079. An act to amend the Small Busi-
fice Building’’. fairs. ness Act to optimize the operations of the

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
H.R. 4200. An act to designate the facility H.R. 3275. An act to designate the facility microloan program, lower costs for small
of the United States Postal Service located of the United States Postal Service located business concerns and intermediary partici-
at 321 South 1st Street in Montrose, Colo- at 340 Wetmore Avenue in Grand River, Ohio, pants in the program, and for other purposes;
rado, as the ‘‘Sergeant David Kinterknecht as the ‘‘Lance Corporal Andy ‘Ace’ Nowacki to the Committee on Small Business and En-
Post Office’’. Post Office’’; to the Committee on Homeland trepreneurship.
H.R. 4672. An act to designate the facility Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 6133. An act to reauthorize the State
of the United States Postal Service located H.R. 3847. An act to designate the facility Trade Expansion Program of the Small Busi-
at 21701 Stevens Creek Boulevard in of the United States Postal Service located ness Administration, and for other purposes;

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