steve herman, let me start with you. i found your story pretty interesting because both your grandfather and your father were in the supermarket business? >> correct, yes. yeah. and my grandfather started it in 1968. >> that's a pretty cool story. now, independent grocers account for, what, 25% of the entire supermarket industry right now? >> you are exactly right. >> and how many people work directly, how many people's jobs are we talking about in that industry, in that 25% of the sector? >> we account for 944,000 jobs, and that's, i think, $9 billion in wages. it's a staggering number. $30 million in wages, excuse me. i believe i'm off by that number. it's a big deal. >> talk about -- because this is real life scenario. we just played what the president promised. if you want your plan, you can keep your plan. the average family is going to save $2500 a year. what is the reality you tried to warn congress about about the law? >> well, there is a couple things, and the way i look at it is i'm a simple guy, simple busines

chairman it is my honor to introduce our next witness steve herman from our district and founder of supermarket solutions the vice president of supermarkets inc. only one of the locally owned in the area it has expanded in central missouri with full-time employees and 100 part-time and seasonal. like so many others the affordable care act is affecting his ability to grow the business and i am proud to introduce him i am listening halifax's small business. >> could a morning in to think before that interjection untapped of the teleacross the country is the national trade association representing but they pulled out manages 44,000 direct jobs paying over $30 billion of wages siam vice president of paul supermarkets i feel i have been in this area for 45 years i started working in the family's supermarket up 14 years old and like many independent grocers i fell in love with the business early on in gained in appreciation for hard-working and customer service. we operate three supermarkets in the state of missouri. we have weathered many economic storms and have never lost sight of the two most imp