[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 13, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8402-S8403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO TOM RECHTIN, SR.

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fine 
Kentucky businessman, Tom Rechtin, Sr., President of Tom Rechtin 
Heating, Air Conditioning and Electric Company.
  Tom was recently named ``1999 Outstanding Business Person'' by the 
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for his community leadership and 
35 years of education advocacy. The honor was given as part of the A.D. 
Albright awards program, which is named for Northern Kentucky 
University's president emeritus, who was known for encouraging 
educational excellence in the region.
  The Albright Award recognizes Tom's commitment to supporting and 
encouraging educational activities in the workplace and in the 
community. His own company serves as a model for his philosophy, as his 
employees attend and participate in numerous classes and seminars he 
facilitates. Tom Rechtin's company also employs student interns who are 
seeking certification.
  Tom was also recently named the ``1998 National Contractor of the 
Year''

[[Page S8403]]

by the National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling 
Contractors, and ``Kentucky Contractor of the Year'' by the Kentucky 
Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors.
  Tom began working in the industry after high school and, over the 
years, moved through the ranks from an entry-level position to 
eventually owning his own company. Today, Tom is one of the most well-
known and well-respected businessmen in the state, with over 12,000 
customers in Northern Kentucky, Eastern Indiana, and Southern Ohio.
  Tom is a three-time appointee by the Governor to the Kentucky HVAC 
Licensing Board, which oversees the licensing and continuing education 
programs for the state's HVAC journeymen and Master License holders. He 
has been an example to board members and the entire industry by 
implementing his own rigorous employee training programs. His 
leadership and success in the field is one of the reasons Tom has been 
named Vice President of the Kentucky HVAC Licensing Board.
  My colleagues and I congratulate you, Tom, on your recent 
accomplishments and commend your many years of service to Northern 
Kentucky's business community. Best wishes for many years of continued 
success.
  Mr. President, I ask that the following Campbell County Recorder 
article from June 17, 1999, be printed in the Record.
  The article follows:

           [From the Campbell County Recorder, June 17, 1999]

                   Chamber Announces Albright Winners


                              Tom Rechtin

       This year's Outstanding Business Person recipient, Tom 
     Rechtin, has been a community leader, role model and an 
     advocate for education for more than 35 years. Rechtin has 
     used his personal and professional experience, knowledge and 
     ability to include others to advance the educational system 
     and consequently the economy in Northern Kentucky.
       This recipient of the Albright Award encourages employees 
     to attend certification classes, participate in seminars and 
     get involved in company educational programs. He provides 
     tuition assistance for employees and currently employs four 
     student interns who are seeking certification.
       He supports education within his company and is an 
     educational advocate in the community. Coupled with 
     Cincinnati Public Schools, he helped found the first 
     apprenticeship and continuing education program in the 
     Tristate. Along with the Northern Kentucky Home Builders 
     Association, he helped develop the first heating and cooling 
     apprenticeship program in Northern Kentucky, and as chairman 
     of the apprenticeship committee, he continues to develop new 
     programs and lead efforts to fund the program.
       Further, Rechtin is a member of the Kentucky State 
     Licensing Board, serves on a Citizens Task Force aimed at 
     evaluating and improving Bellevue Schools, and founded SMART 
     TECH--a class that is offered at NKU annually to journeymen 
     to meet state licensing requirements. Most recently, he 
     sought to carry out a federal School-To-Work federal 
     initiative promoting schools and businesses to share 
     knowledge and develop practical curriculums for students 
     entering the workforce.
       Outside of his work with education and his company, he is a 
     member of the Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Readiness 
     Council, a Master with the Boy Scouts of America, an athletic 
     sponsor with the Bellevue Vets, a member of the Bellevue 
     Renewal Committee and a council member of Sacred Heart 
     Catholic Church.
       The Chamber of Commerce is the largest volunteer business 
     organization in Northern Kentucky. It works to encourage and 
     promote economic well being, quality growth and community 
     development for both Northern Kentucky and the 
     region.

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