Donald M. Payne: “First, I would like to acknowledge my new friends from North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise a great small…”

“First, I would like to acknowledge my new friends from North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise a great small business in my district. Schneider Hardware in West Orange, New Jersey, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It is one of the last full-service, independent hardware stores in the State of New Jersey. It is located right in downtown West Orange in my district. Schneider Hardware is the oldest business still in operation in Essex County. It specializes in helping owners repair their older homes that populate my district. It was started by Isadore Schneider in 1923. Today, Isadore's grandsons, Roger and Gerald, are the third generation to run the store. They help residents with everything from plumbing issues to repairing lawnmowers. Congratulations again to Schneider Hardware. It is a shining example of the importance of small businesses to local communities. ____________________”