[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E993-E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    KENNY DESAI, PRESIDENT OF TAK CONSTRUCTION, INC., NOMINATED FOR 
                 MINORITY CONSTRUCTION FIRM OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kirti (Kenny) Desai, President of TAK 
Construction, Inc., of Clark, NJ, has been nominated by the Newark 
Minority Business Development Center of the Interracial Council for 
Business Opportunity, Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. 
Department of Commerce, for Minority Construction Firm of the year

[[Page E994]]

1998. It is for me a great honor to pay tribute to TAK Construction, 
and to its President, Mr. Desai, a resident of Livingston, NJ.
  Last December, TAK Construction, Inc., celebrated its 10th 
anniversary. Mr. Desai is the driving force behind the company's 
success. He is a graduate of the M.S. University of Baroda, India, 
where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. More 
recently, he earned his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from 
Stevens institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Prior to founding TAK 
in 1987, Mr. Desai was a project manager with a large construction 
company through which he achieved a broad background in various phases 
of the construction industry. During the past ten and one-half years, 
TAK has completed more than 150 projects valued at more than $100 
million. The company has demonstrated steady annual growth, taking 
great pride in its commitment to using new materials, practices and 
innovation, and working to stay on-time and on-budget.
  Kenny Desai clearly takes very seriously the company's slogan of 
``Building for the 21st Century.'' Despite his significant investment 
of time in his business, Mr. Desai still manages to find time for a 
wide range of professional and community affiliations. He is a partner 
in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Regional Alliance, 
and a Member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, as well as local 
Chambers. He serves as Secretary of the Rotary Club International and 
is an Honorary Special Deputy Sheriff of Hudson County, NJ. Deeply 
devoted to his Indian heritage, Mr. Desai is Director and a founding 
member of the Indo-American Cultural Society of North America, a 
Trustee of ``VRAJ'' Religion Institute and Gandhi Mandir, and founding 
member of Kapol Samaj of North America and Vice President of Vegetarian 
Vision Inc.
  Kenny Desai is a true American success story. As a minority business 
owner, he has had to overcome significant obstacles on his path to 
success. In so doing, he stands out as a fine role model for our young 
people. I wish him and the employees of TAK Construction continued 
success, and congratulate Mr. Desai on this richly deserved honor.

                          ____________________