[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E878]]



        TRIBUTE TO 1997 EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 1997

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
recipients of the 1997 Excellence in Business Awards. Sponsored by a 
distinguished newspaper in the Central Valley of California, the Fresno 
Bee, the awards are designed to honor businesses and one individual 
from the community who have demonstrated high ethical standards, 
corporate success and growth, employee and customer service, and 
concern for the environment. The recipients will be honored at a 
luncheon given in their honor on Thursday, May 8, 1997, in Fresno, CA.
  Dozens of nominations were submitted and the following were selected 
to represent the breadth of businesses throughout the Valley:

                   International Agri-Center (Tulare)


                              Agriculture

       Although the center is staffed by just 10 employees, a 
     volunteer staff of more than 600 people make up the strength 
     of this business. Through the assistance of all, the 
     International Agri-Center produces the annual California Farm 
     Equipment Show, the greatest international event of its kind.


         Fresno Rescue Mission/Craycroft Youth Center (Fresno)


                               Charitable

       The only organization of its kind, the Fresno Rescue 
     Mission/Craycroft Youth Center represents the sole Fresno 
     County receiving home for abused and neglected children. 
     Services offered through the center include counseling, 
     education services, and health exams. The most unique feature 
     of the center is that it allows for siblings to remain 
     together at one location, thereby keeping families intact.


                  Buckman-Mitchell Insurance (Visalia)


                                Finance

       Working on its 81st year in business, Buckman-Mitchell 
     Insurance has more than 60 employees and clients throughout 
     the world. The company is known well throughout the Central 
     Valley for its high ethical standards and community 
     involvement. Such an example of the level of dedication that 
     exists within the company is evidenced by the fact that the 
     company donates as much as $100,000 a year to the Visalia 
     community.


                   St. Agnes Medical Center (Fresno)


                              Health Care

       St. Agnes, the fourth largest employer in Fresno County, 
     opened its doors in 1929. Since then, the staff at St. Agnes 
     has made continuous strides in the health care field. Between 
     1993 and 1996, outpatient volumes at the medical center 
     increased by more than 76,400. The medical center is also 
     helping to find positions outside of the hospital, as they 
     assist in funding a case worker for Fresno Unified School 
     District's teen parenting program, Future Positive.


                  Grundfos Pumps Corporation (Clovis)


                             Manufacturing

       An example of a home-based operation, Grundfos Pumps, was 
     first established in the cellar of Paul Due Jensen's home in 
     Denmark in 1945. Since then the company has expanded and 
     opened its operation for U.S. manufacturing in Clovis in 
     1974. The company's continuous commitment to excellence and 
     education has continued to grow over the years. Since 1987, 
     Grundfos has been a business partner with Clovis Unified 
     School Districts and continues to place great importance on 
     employee training and training.


                   Fresno Zoological Society (Fresno)


                               Non-Profit

       The Chafee Zoological Gardens at Roeding Park was 
     incorporated in 1949. Visited by more than 400,000 people the 
     society grossed more than 1.78 million in 1995 from combined 
     fundraising activities. The Society remains a source of 
     attraction to the Fresno area due to an outstanding 
     membership organization. Growing from 2,500 in 1988 to 6,400 
     in 1997, the society recently recognized Director David W. 
     Kyle as Outstanding Fund-raising Executive of the Year by the 
     National Society of Fundraising Executives.


            Baker, Manock & Jensen Attorneys At Law (Fresno)


                         Professional Services

       As one of the oldest and most-established law firms in the 
     Valley, Baker, Manock & Jensen employs 47 lawyers, 10 
     paralegals, and more than 50 other staff members in support 
     positions. The firm is recognized as a member of commercial 
     law affiliates, an association of A-rated firms throughout 
     the world. In addition to a heavy and extremely active work 
     load, members of the firm devote numerous personal hours to 
     assist with more than 20 nonprofit organizations throughout 
     the community.


                 La Tapatia Tortilleria, Inc. (Fresno)


                            Retail/Wholesale

       La Tapatia is a homegrown business built from the ground 
     up. Helen Chavez-Hansen first purchased the business in 1969 
     for $1,900. Since then, La Tapatia has grown from 6 employees 
     and one tortilla oven to a staff of over 155. La Tapatia's 
     40,000-square-foot plant can produce 5,500 dozen tortillas 
     per hour. The intense quality control program of the plant 
     assures that an individual is receiving the best commercial 
     product available.


                    Fortier Transportation (Fresno)


                             Small Business

       In 1911, Fortier Stage Lines was founded and provided 
     passenger service to its customers. In 1991, the business 
     went back to its original function as a regulated interstate 
     motor freight carrier. Kathy Fortier, the owner of Fortier 
     Transportation, began with one part-time driver in 1992. 
     Today, the business employs office staff, shop personnel, and 
     five company drivers.


                           Hall of Fame Award


                           CLAUDE LAVALL III

       As President of Lavall-Separator Corp., Claude Lavall III's 
     high standards and work ethic have become the hallmarks of 
     his business. Lavall has been actively involved in the 
     expansion of his business, recently growing into Mexico. As a 
     businessman in the international marketplace, Lavall Corp. 
     believes that sales and service personnel are responsible for 
     advancing the standards that have made this business so 
     successful. From the business to the education and community 
     sector, Claude Lavall III is currently in partnership with 
     Erickson School, a companywide effort

  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the 1997 Excellence in Business Awards 
highlights the top representatives in numerous fields throughout the 
Valley. I commend these businesses for their successes, as well as the 
men and women who own them, for they believe--and have proven--that 
hard work is the foundation for individual and community-oriented 
successes. I ask my colleagues to join me today to salute all of the 
recipients of this award. They embody the highest ethical standards and 
concern both for themselves and their community.

                          ____________________