[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE FRESNO BUSINESS COUNCIL'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY

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                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to congratulate the 
Fresno Business Council on the occasion of its fifth Anniversary. This 
dedicated group of community leaders plays an important role in the 
community.
  The Fresno Business Council began with just seven members, pulled 
together by president Bob Carter, who set out to discuss the problems 
facing the community and what they could do to help. They began to 
organize and focus their efforts to assist the public sector in 
addressing the challenges faced by Fresno County. The Council currently 
has 125 members, each of whom is selected from the highest level of 
local executives in business or major institutions in the public 
sector.
  The Council operates four standing committees: Crime, Jobs and 
Economic Development, Education and Public Policy and Government 
Relations.
  As part of their work, Crime Committee members have assisted the 
Fresno Police Department in getting past political barriers to 
implement policies involving real property and burglar alarms. Through 
analysis and advocacy the Council provided merit-based arguments 
convincing the Fresno Bee not to pander to the public. In the coming 
year the focus of the council will be on consolidation of policing 
services whenever an improvement in efficiency or effectiveness can be 
demonstrated.
  The Jobs and Economic Development Committee has a number of leaders, 
each putting their own mark on the agenda. Under its first chairman, 
Roger Flynn, the committee helped to create the one stop permitting 
center and began an incubator project. With Rich Olsson as chairman, 
the committee began exploration of permitting issues and training 
dollars. Current chairman Claude Laval has recently taken over the 
committee and they are now focused on regional strategic planning and 
collaboration among organizations.
  The Education Committee has approached education in both 
comprehensive and specific ways. Committee members helped pass the 
Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified school bond measures, and sponsors 
Commission on the Future of Education in Fresno County with the County 
Office of Education. The Commission is studying all the aspects of how 
education is delivered in Fresno County.
  The fourth standing committee is the Public Policy and Governmental 
Relations committee. It is through public and private partnerships that 
the Council implements its Agenda. The committee has hosted numerous 
meetings with elected officials to increase communication and build 
relationships.
  Mr. Speaker I rise today to pay tribute to the Fresno Business 
Council in celebration of its fifth Anniversary. This group of leaders 
has done great things for the community. I urge all my colleagues to 
join me in wishing the Fresno Business Council many years of continued 
success.

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