[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO BEVERLY HARPER ON HER SELECTION AS ONE OF PENNSYLVANIA'S 
                       BEST 50 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. 
Beverly Harper of Philadelphia. Ms. Harper was recently named one of 
Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business, an honor she rightly deserves 
for her business savvy and her contributions to the community. One of 
two thousand nominees for the honor, Harper was nominated by the Ben 
Franklin Technology Center of southeastern Pennsylvania. Candidates 
were required to be owners, presidents, CEO's, or in a position with 
significant authority in the decisionmaking of the business. Ms. Harper 
certainly meets these standards as the founder and president of 
Portfolio Associates, Inc., a firm that specializes in public 
relations, advertising, marketing, and market research.
  Since its founding in 1969, Portfolio Associates has handled numerous 
big-name accounts, including: Southeastern Pennsylvania Public 
Transportation Authority [SEPTA], University of Pennsylvania Health 
System, Philadelphia Gas Works, and the Philadelphia Convention and 
Visitors Bureau, among others.
  In addition to her successes in the business world, Beverly Harper is 
active in community organizations and is a supporter of the arts in 
Philadelphia. She spearheaded Greek Row, a movement to help Greek 
organizations develop a Panhellenic center and spur development in the 
distressed neighborhoods of North Philadelphia. Ms. Harper and her 
staff have regularly participated in career days at local schools, and 
have made a practice of adopting a school or family struggling with 
hardship, in an effort to enhance educational opportunities and improve 
self-esteem in low-income neighborhoods.
  Ms. Harper is a member of the Community Trust Board of the West 
Philadelphia Empowerment Zone and is on the board of directors at the 
Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Dance Co. Mr. Speaker, in 
light of her many contributions to the city of Philadelphia, and in 
recognition of her recent inclusion in the list of Pennsylvania's top 
businesswomen, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring 
Beverly A. Harper.

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