[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1093-E1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO ANDREW A. HERNANDEZ, THE 1997 NATIONAL VETERAN SMALL 
                     BUSINESS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, each year for the past 34 
years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation 
call for the celebration of Small Business Week. I believe this 
celebration of Small Business Week, which is held from June 1-7 this 
year, recognizes its crucial impact on our economy and society. As we 
pay tribute to our Nation's entrepreneurs, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize an exceptional veteran businessman from my 
district, Mr. Andrew A. Hernandez, who has been named the 1997 National 
Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year. We must never forget that 
small business is the engine that drives our economy and its people 
such as Mr. Hernandez that will continue to make America No. 1. He is 
an inspiration to small business persons not only in my congressional 
district, but also across the country.
  Mr. Andrew Hernandez, president of Arid Construction Technologies, 
Inc., in San Bernardino, and a resident of San Bernardino, has been 
named the 1997 National Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year by 
the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was nominated for the award 
for his work in assisting veterans. Mr. Hernandez is a founding member 
and the current president of the California Disabled Veteran Business 
Enterprises

[[Page E1094]]

Alliance, a nonprofit organization established to assist and support 
disabled veterans. He was instrumental in securing procurement goals 
from the California Public Utilities Commission of 1.5 percent, and 
from the county of San Bernardino of 3 percent, which translates into 
over $70 million being targeted for DVBE's.
  Mr. Hernandez has dedicated a substantial amount of his own time and 
money lobbying for the advancement of DVBE's at both the State and 
national levels. He also serves on the county of San Bernardino's 
Contract Compliance Advisory Board, which has the responsibility of 
overseeing the county's efforts to increase procurement opportunities 
for women, minority and disabled veteran business enterprises. In 1995 
he created a DVBE plan room at Arid Construction which receives plans 
and specifications from public and private agencies at no charge. This 
allows DVBE companies to increase the number of projects they can bid 
on since their capital will not be tied up in plan deposits.
  Last year Arid Construction Technologies Inc. was also recognized by 
the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency as 
the 1996 Minority Construction Firm of the Year for seven southwestern 
States. Originally specializing in the waterproofing trade, the company 
has expanded into general contracting as well with emphasis on the 
design-build and construction of child care centers.
  Through his company, Mr. Hernandez has demonstrated support for the 
local community by renovating a building located in an older section of 
town and participating in a community service project each year. These 
have included the repair of the exterior of a children's museum, the 
cleaning and sprucing up of the city's memorial to war veterans, and 
the sponsorship of a team for the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon. Mr. 
Hernandez also sponsors youth sports teams.
  In being named the 1997 National Veteran Small Business Advocate of 
the Year, Mr. Hernandez set an example of dedication, integrity, and 
innovation which makes him a role model for small business persons in 
the United States. I am very pleased to have Mr. Hernandez being 
honored this week. It it my hope that he will serve as a model not only 
for other business men and women in my congressional district, but also 
entrepreneurs nationwide. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish Mr. Hernandez 
all the best in his future endeavors and I hope that others will follow 
the sterling examples he has set for all small businesses.

                          ____________________