From the Elkhart Truth:

U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) heard about Mr. Shank’s high-tech business and made a point of visiting there on Monday, August 18, 2003 to help promote his Small Business Summit.

Mr. Shank has carved his own niche in the electronics field, making dozens of products ranging from components for the nation’s Star Wars defense system and the lasers for the 747 jets to parts for the motors that drive telescopes used in Antarctica and intercoms for ultra light aircraft. Senator Bayh was taken on a guided tour of the plant to look over some of these products.

Phil Penn from the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce president commented: “I was really heartened to hear the senators remarks and his recognition of the importance of small businesses just like Larry’s that are on the leading edge of technology and providing good paying jobs for people. It’s good Senator Bayh is out here among the folks experiencing this”