[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                          HON. SAM COPPERSMITH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 1994

  Mr. COPPERSMITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph 
Wojcich, the Small Business Administration's Arizona Small Business 
Person of the Year. Since his start in 1975, using personal savings of 
$1,500, Mr. Wojcich has grown his company, Tempe Camera, to a thriving 
business with 31 employees and projected 1994 sales of $3.4 million, 
occupying a 10,000 square-foot building.
  Mr. Wojcich came to the United States in 1951, when his Ukrainian 
father and Polish mother escaped from East Germany. At 17, he joined 
the U.S. Air Force, and served as a machinist at Luke Air Force Base. 
After leaving the Air Force, Mr. Wojcich worked as a machinist--until 
he nearly severed two fingers in an accident. He then taught himself 
camera repair. The rest is, as they say, history.
  The success of Tempe Camera is no surprise to those who know the 
skill and loyalty of its employees. Mr. Wojcich purposefully pays 
generally higher wages than his competitors, has a significant employee 
profitsharing plan, and provides employees with full medical and dental 
benefits.
  Joseph Wojcich's commitment to his employees, his customers, and his 
craft serve as an example to all business owners, large and small. I 
take special pride that for the second consecutive year, an 
entrepreneur from the first congressional district has received the 
Arizona Small Business Person of the Year Award. I am proud to 
represent countless such entrepreneurs in my district, the men and 
women who drive our economy. Joseph Wojcich is a most worthy 
representative of their spirit, determination, and will to succeed.

                          ____________________