[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E592-E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO ROGER E. PETERSON

                                 ______


                         HON. HARRIS W. FAWELL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 14, 1995
  Mr. FAWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Roger E. 
Peterson, chief executive officer of Ace Hardware Corp. Ace Hardware is 
a dealer-owner cooperative founded in Chicago in 1924 and has its 
corporate headquarters located in Oak Brook, IL. Roger has announced 
his retirement effective May 31, 1995.
  Under Roger's leadership Ace reached more than $2.3 billion in sales 
to its 5,000 independently-owned stores in all 50 States and 55 
countries and territories in 1994. I am pleased to add over $205 
million of those sales were accounted for by almost 400 Ace retailers 
in Illinois.
  These retailers characterize what Roger, the State of Illinois, and 
Ace are all about: excellence, leadership, friendliness, team work, 
family orientation, and striving to always be the best they can be.
  Roger began his career with Montgomery Ward after graduating from the 
University of Miami (Florida) in 1960. Prior to joining Ace, Roger was 
also executive vice president and general manager of C/P Products 
Corporation in Elkart, IN. His other experience includes various 
management positions with the J.C. Penney and Ben Franklin, Division of 
City Products Corporation.
  Mr. Speaker, Roger joined Ace in September, 1976, as national 
distribution manager. In 1983, he was promoted to vice president of 
operations with additional responsibilities for traffic, labor 
relations, corporate security, and physical distribution center 
planning, including site selection negotiations.
  Within 2 years, Roger was appointed executive vice president, and on 
August 5, 1986, he became president of Ace. In January, 1990, Roger was 
given the additional title CEO by the Ace board of directors. He has 
served longer as president than all but the legendary Richard C. Hesse 
who reigned for 44 years.
  Under Roger's leadership, Ace's distribution system expanded from 5 
distribution facilities in 1976 to the current total of 14. One of 
these facilities, at 1.1 million square feet, is the largest in the 
industry.
  The Ace Hardware Corporation's Ace 2000 program and its accelerated 
version, the New Age of Ace initiated under Roger's leadership, has an 
objective of making Ace Hardware, Home Center, and LBM retailers the 
premier hardlines retailers in the industry by the year 2000.
  Clearly Mr. Speaker, Roger defines Ace's corporate mission as being a 
total ``* * * retail support company * * * providing independent Ace 
dealers with quality products, programs, and services. We exist to 
serve the Ace dealer and we know that Ace's success is based on the 
success of that independent Ace dealer,'' stated Roger.
  He has worked diligently, not only for Ace, but for the hardware 
industry as well, as illustrated by the leadership award presented to 
him at the International Hardware Dealers Association convention in 
March, 1994. Roger personifies that true leadership is making people 
better than they ever thought they could be.
  Mr. Speaker, Roger's management style, philosophy and leadership are 
paying huge dividends today and will continue to do so for years to 
come. After many years of distinguished and superior service to the Ace 
hardware Corp., I wish Roger all the accolades he so rightfully 
deserves. May his years of retirement bring Roger all the best with his 
wife, 
[[Page E593]] Joyce, and their six children, Stephen, Cindy, Linda, 
Kristin, Kathrin and Scott.


                          ____________________