[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2313-E2314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BILL SHULTZ

                                 ______


                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 1995

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, December 19, 1995, is a truly historical 
date. On this day Fender Musical Instruments will host the grand 
opening of a new facility in Corona, CA. This 90,000 square foot 
manufacturing operation, will produce high quality speakers and 
amplifiers, creating 250 new jobs for the Corona community.
  A short 9 years ago this company almost became a historical statistic 
as a result of competition from Japan. The great name of Fender was 
close to being wiped out by cheap foreign imitations. Using economic 
advantages that did not exist in this country, the foreign product 
dominated the musical instrument business.
  Led by its president, Bill Schultz, Fender Musical Instruments became 
the comeback story for the past decade. Moving to the city of Corona in 
1986 with only 15 employees, this once great company was manufacturing 
just two dozen guitars per day. Faced with what many considered an 
uncertain future at best, the success story of quality and tradition 
began to unfold in my hometown of Corona.
  Today, Fender Musical Instruments builds 350 high-end guitars per day 
and employs 

[[Page E 2314]]
over 600 people. With the opening of this new facility and the addition 
of 250 people to its staff, total Fender Music's employment in Corona, 
CA, will be 850 people.
  Fender is the choice for some of the most popular entertainers in the 
world, such as Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, and many more. Fender 
was also chosen to custom make just over 100 guitars to celebrate the 
anniversary of Harley Davidson. These particular guitars are valued at 
over $40,000 each. In the music business the name Fender means quality, 
which means reliability, which also means the best sound possible from 
a musical instrument.
  This tremendous comeback was accomplished through the leadership of 
Bill Schultz, president of Fender Musical Instruments. Mr. Schultz has 
worked closely with Federal, State, and local leaders. He has provided 
valued input on business issues to help ensure continued economic 
growth in this country.
  It is a great pleasure for me, on behalf of the citizens of 
California's 43d Congressional District, to congratulate the leadership 
of Fender Musical Instruments and the city of Corona for making this 
dynamic growth a reality. We can all be proud of the private and public 
sector working together to keep valuable jobs in America.

                          ____________________