[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO RICHARD CORTEZ

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and pay tribute 
to Richard Cortez, a distinguished businessman from Boise, ID, who has 
been named Minority Business Advocate of 1994 for the Small Business 
Administration's northwest region.
  I am pleased to join my voice with many others to recognize Rich's 
significant accomplishments and to honor all he's done to improve the 
economic opportunities for Hispanic youth throughout the Treasure 
Valley. He is a role model in the community and his focus has been on 
building character and the self-esteem of Hispanic youth.
  Rich is dedicated to promoting economic development within the 
Hispanic community. This is accomplished through youth training, 
apprenticeships, and placement programs. Mr. Cortez employs five 
College Assistance Migrant Program [CAMP] students at Metalcraft, Inc., 
and over 50 percent of Metalcraft's work force is considered 
disadvantaged.
  When the folks at West One Bank of Idaho nominated Rich Cortez for 
this prestigious award, they wrote: ``In a world consumed by 
competition and the power of a dollar, it is refreshing to find an 
outstanding individual who is willing and driven to sacrifice time for 
those who will succeed him. Mr. Cortez is such an individual.''
  I echo those feelings, Mr. President. In addition to building a 
business from the ground up, Rich cofounded an organization for 
Hispanic Business Professionals. He is also a member of the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce, Treasure Valley Council on Hispanic Employment, 
and the Boise Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also an appointed board 
member of the Southwest Private Industry Council.
  Rich Cortez is the son of migrant workers, who began his business 
career at the young age of 11 working in the fields alongside his 
father. He overcame poverty, stereotypes, and lack of a college 
education to become a successful businessman. Now, as the owner and 
president of Metalcraft, Inc. of Boise, he is giving back to the 
community by helping young minorities gain experience in a highly 
skilled field like precision metal crafting.
  Rich Cortez is truly an asset to the community and is absolutely 
deserving of our recognition and appreciation.

                          ____________________