[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING AUDIOVOX AND TOSHIBA: A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 1998

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special and 
unique relationship between the well-known Japanese company, Toshiba, 
and a great American company based on Long Island, Audiovox 
Corporation. For the last 14 years they have shared an incredible 
partnership in cellular phone manufacturing and distribution, which has 
led to this day, during which we are marking the 7 millionth cellular 
phone that has derived from this very special relationship. In fact, I 
have taken the liberty of proclaiming this day, ``Audiovox-Toshiba 
Day'' in the 5th District of New York.
  At a ceremony today at Audiovox's headquarters in the town of 
Happauge in Suffolk County on Long Island, Toshiba will be presenting a 
gold phone to mark this remarkable milestone. Mr. Takao Kishida, 
General Manager of the Mobile Communications Division of Toshiba and 
Mr. Kunio Horiouchi, Department Manager of the division, will be 
presenting the phone on behalf of Pizo Nishimuro, President of Toshiba. 
Accepting this unique award on behalf of Audiovox will be two very good 
close friends of mine, Phillip Christopher, President and CEO of 
Audiovox Communications Corporation (ACC), and John J. Shalam, Chairman 
of Audiovox.
  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, the nature of the relationship 
has been Toshiba manufacturing the phones and Audiovox marketing them 
in North America. I'm sure my colleagues realize that there are 
countless numbers of companies in the world who manufacture cellular 
phones. However, over half of the phones that Audiovox has sold over 
the course of almost 15 years have come from Toshiba's production line, 
and, Audiovox officials do not hesitate for one minute to say that 
Toshiba is the best--based on their quality, their integrity and 
character, and their loyalty to this special relationship. That's why I 
think it's so important to highlight this special relationship as an 
example of what can come of the very special bond that has existed over 
the past 50 years between the United States and Japan. Regardless of 
the differences we may encounter in our general trade relationship, I 
wanted to take a moment to recognize the unique partnership between 
Toshiba and Audiovox, and the remarkable achievements that they have 
reached together. This is an exemplary union that should be held up to 
the highest regard, to demonstrate to others the opportunities that 
exist between our countries and to encourage other companies to engage 
in similar ventures.
  Trade is so very much a critical component of U.S. policy, 
particularly in this day and age as we become more of a global village. 
Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, please join with me today as we honor 
two truly energetic and viable companies who have chosen to engage in a 
partnership that has only served to complement each companies' 
strengths as well as continuing to highlight the special bond between 
the U.S. and Japan.

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