[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PETE GRANILLO--THCC's 1999 HISPANIC BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 1999

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I 
rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Hispanic leader in the 
Tucson community, Mr. Peter Alonso Granillo. Because Mr. Granillo has 
had such a positive impact on the business environment for Hispanics 
and because he has generously supported many charities within the 
Hispanic community, he has been named the 1999 Hispanic Businessman of 
the Year by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Granillo has been a recognized leader within the Hispanic 
business community for many years. His concern for improving the 
business opportunities available to minority contractors led him to 
found the National Association of Minority Contractor's Southern 
Arizona Chapter. His work with this group has helped it grow into one 
of the most important business networks for Hispanics in Arizona. He 
currently serves as its President. Mr. Granillo's local success with 
the organization has brought him to national prominence and he 
currently serves as the third Vice-President to the National 
Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)--National Chapter.
  In addition to Mr. Granillo's own successful business activities and 
the success he has generated for the NAMC, he has been instrumental in 
expanding the influence and success of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 
and the South Tucson Business Association. Both of these organizations 
have benefited greatly from his leadership and business acumen. Mr. 
Granillo has also encouraged Hispanic businessmen and businesswomen to 
work within the already established business networks. He has led the 
way in joining and in developing relevant membership opportunities 
within the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and in the American 
Subcontractors Association.
  Fortunately for many charities, Mr. Granillo's business commitments 
have not taken all of his time and energies. He has been a member, 
supporter and contributor to the Old Pueblo Optimist Club, the Knights 
of Columbus and the South Tucson Weed & Seed Committee. His work with 
the South Tucson Weed & Seed Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department 
of Justice, has helped the program achieve recognition as possibly the 
best Weed & Seed Program in the nation. Aside from his efforts with 
established community service organizations, Mr. Granillo has a 
personal project that he organizes each Christmas: a bicycle drive for 
the low income children of South Tucson. Through this drive, he obtains 
up to 100 new bicycles and then delivers them to the children on 
Christmas Day.
  Mr. Granillo is a citizen worthy of national recognition for his many 
contributions to his community, his state and his country. I applaud 
his efforts to organize and address the concerns of minority business 
people, especially minority business contractors. I ask my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing one of our most enterprising and committed 
Hispanic business leaders, Mr. Peter Alonso Granillo.

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