[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 18 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF JOHN DaPONTE

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, on December 31, 1997, John DaPonte 
retired from U.S. Government service and returned to his home state of 
Rhode Island after having served at the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board 
since 1968. The retirement of a federal official happens several times 
every day. However, it is important that John DaPonte's career in 
government be remembered because of the impact that he and the Foreign-
Trade Zones Board have made on U.S. trade policy, U.S. companies in the 
global marketplace, and the economic development of a wide range of 
communities in the United States. There are few federal government 
officials who have made such a direct positive impact on the subject 
they manage.
  The agency for which John DaPonte worked, the Foreign-Trade Zones 
Board, is one of the smallest federal agencies in Washington, D.C. with 
only nine employees. It is so small that it does not have a line item 
in the federal budget. In 1968, Zone projects existed in only 6 states 
and Puerto Rico and were very modest in size. Today, Foreign-Trade 
Zones Board activity is in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. During his 
tenure at the Board, the agency's Zone projects increased from 9 in 
1968 to 560 in 1997, a yearly growth rate of 221%; domestic merchandise 
receipts grew from $18 million in 1966 to $125.6 billion. An average 
yearly rate of 24,933%; and employment increased from 1200 jobs in 1968 
to 370,000 jobs an average yearly growth rate of 1,138%. There are few, 
if any, federal agencies with this growth record. John DaPonte deserves 
a thank you for managing an important U.S. trade program that grew 
rapidly over the last 30 years with very modest resources.
  The Foreign-Trade Zone Program is an economic development tool for 
communities providing financial assistance to many troubled U.S. 
industries, as well as to foreign-based firms interested in 
establishing U.S. production operations, by helping them be competitive 
in the global marketplace. Foreign-Trade Zones place U.S. production 
facilities on an equal footing with foreign operations. The benefit of 
this investment is the creation of jobs in the U.S. Industry groups 
become involved in the Foreign-Trade Zone Program in order to solve 
trade problems. Major industries involved in the program include 
shipbuilding, motor vehicles, oil refining, pharmaceuticals, and 
information technology.
  The growth of the Foreign-Trade Zone Program required a very 
significant amount of effort by the staff of the Foreign-Trade Zones 
Board. The Foreign-Trade Zones Act, and laws pertaining thereto, were 
amended in the 1968 to 1997 period on thirteen (13) occasions. Mr. 
DaPonte implemented many new procedures at the Foreign-Trade Zones 
Board including minor boundary modifications and grant restrictions to 
assist in managing the very rapid growth of the program in a balanced 
manner and without major funding or personnel. In 1968, 2 applications 
for new projects were filed. In 1997, 85 applications were filed. Board 
Orders approving new Zone projects grew during the period from 3 Board 
Orders issued in 1968 to 78 Board Orders issued in 1997.
  In order to operate effectively, the Foreign-Trade Zones Board works 
closely with a wide range of U.S. government agencies. Most important, 
is the Board's continuing involvement with state and local governmental 
organizations that implements most zone activity. At a time when we in 
Washington are trying to empower states and localities, we would do 
well to look at the positive program developed under John DaPonte's 
leadership. The Foreign-Trade Zones Program, from the beginning, has 
been one that actively engaged states, counties, cities, and port 
authorities on all levels to encourage local economic development 
activities.
  It is clear that during John DaPonte's tenure at the Foreign-Trade 
Zones Board, the program experienced extraordinary growth. He managed 
this high level of growth effectively with extremely modest personnel 
and budget resources. No other Federal agency has created such a 
positive impact on our nation's balance of trade with such limited 
resources. John DaPonte's involvement in the federal government is a 
classic example of the federal government at its best. Today, we 
remember the positive contributions of John DaPonte to U.S. trade. This 
Congress thanks him for his efforts and wishes him well in his future 
endeavors.

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