[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E909-E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to day to congratulate 
Kuckenbecker Tractor of Madera, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, 
Bank of the Sierra of Porterville, Community Health System of Fresno, 
Duncan Enterprises of Fresno, Valley Public Television of Fresno, 
Denham Personnel Services of Fresno, Sherwood Lehman Massucco, Inc., 
Pearson Reality of Fresno, Gottschalks Inc. of Fresno, and Hall of Fame 
winner, Marilyn Hamilton of Fresno for being honored by the Fresno Bee 
with the Excellence in Business Award.
  For the third year now, The Fresno Bee is recognizing some of the 
most respected names in business in the San Joaquin Valley. The 
businesses selected were chosen because of setting trends and serving 
customers unlike any other business. The winners were also recognized 
for success, growth, and setting high ethical and community standards. 
The judges for this event include Fresno Business people, a retired 
school principle, a member of the Kings County Board of supervisors and 
other selected community leaders.
  Kuckenbecker Tractor of Madera is a family owned business that 
started in 1945. Richard Kuckenbecker took the small company that 
employed six people in Madera in 1961 and expanded it into a two-store 
operation in both Fresno and Madera that employs 40 people and 
generates $8 million in revenue.
  The boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County is a charitable 
organization that has a staff and volunteers who work with thousands of 
children each year. The organization is instrumental in providing 
educational, social and cultural reinforcement for children.
  in 1977, Bank of the Sierra, Porterville was started with a single 
branch in Porterville by 17 Tulare County residents. It hosted 11 
employees and garnered $1.5 million in assets.

[[Page E910]]

Today, it has grown into the largest Valley-based bank with nearly $387 
million in assets and more than 230 employees with nine branches and 
eight specialty credit centers.
  Community Health Systemso Fresno is a $400 million-a-year 
organization that employs more than 4,700 people and has a medical 
staff of more than 1,100 physicians. Its chief executive officer is Dr. 
J. Philip Hinton.
  Duncan Enterprises of Fresno makes paint and other items for 
hobbyists. The company expects a 37 percent growth in sales this fiscal 
year. Duncan Enterprises has been a fixture in Fresno for many years. 
The company brought the assets of a Massachusetts company and planned 
to move its operations to Fresno over six months. It worked with the 
production employees of the company to allow them to stay employed 
during the phase-out of the operation, while also coordinating training 
for them in resume writing and interviewing skills.
  Valley Public Television of Fresno has operated the San Joaquin 
Valley's only public television station from its Fresno studios since 
1977. It has continued over the years to provide services and programs 
to meet the diverse demands of the changing community. Colin Dougherty 
serves as the general manager and executive director of the station.
  Denham Personnel Services of Fresno was founded 28 years ago by B. G. 
``Bud'' and Jean Denham. It started off as a single office and has 
grown to include offices in Madera and Selma and a full-time staff of 
14. On every working day of the year, an estimated 200-300 people in 
the Valley get up and go to work because they have been placed in jobs 
by Denham Personnel Services.
  Sherwood Lehman Massucco, Inc. of Fresno is an executive search firm 
that has been finding top management talent for companies located in 
Central California since 1978. The firm believes in recruiting locally 
if possible, but has extensive experience in nationwide searches when 
the best candidate is not available in the Valley.
  Pearson Realty of Fresno was founded in 1919 and has become one of 
the largest independently owned commercial real estate firms in the 
Valley. Its farm division is the largest in California and possibly the 
nation. The company pays a portion of net profit back to employees in 
the form of bonuses.
  Gottschalks, Inc. of Fresno was founded in 1903 in downtown Fresno by 
Emil Gottschalk. The regional retailer has grown to 37 department 
stores and 22 specialty stores employing more than 5,500 people at 
sites in California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. It is the only 
Central Valley-based company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, 
going public in 1986.
  Hall of Fame winner, Marilyn Hamilton of Fresno had a sudden turn of 
events in her life almost 20 years ago when she became paralyzed in a 
hang-gliding accident. Frustrated by the clunky design of her 
wheelchair, Hamilton and two hangglider friends built their own 
lightweight chairs. They formed Motion Designs, which was bought by 
Sunrise Medical in 1986. Hamilton is now vice president of consumer 
development at Sunrise, and the Quickie wheelchair she designed has 
become an industry leader.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate these fine 
businesses and business leaders in the community. These exceptional 
businesses and business leaders were honored for their unique 
contributions to the business community and exemplary business skills. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Kuckenbecker Tractor of 
Madera, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, Bank of the Sierra of 
Porterville, Community Health System of Fresno, Duncan Enterprises of 
Fresno, Valley Public Television of Fresno, Denham Personnel Services 
of Fresno, Sherwood Lehman Massucco, Inc., Pearson Reality of Fresno, 
Gottschalks Inc. of Fresno, and Hall of Fame winner, Marilyn Hamilton 
of Fresno many more years of continued success.

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