[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION OF OPPORTUNITY, INC.: AN ORGANIZATION THAT LIVES UP TO ITS 
                                  NAME

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize 
Opportunity, Inc., an outstanding organization located in Highland 
Park, Illinois. This is truly a remarkable enterprise and a magnificent 
example of the initiative needed to help people move welfare to work 
and a better life.
  Opportunity, Inc. is a unique, not-for-profit contract manufacturer 
of single-use medical products that has been registered with the FDA 
since 1977, and that employs persons with developmental physical and/or 
emotional disabilities. Founded in 1976 by local construction executive 
John Cornell, who still serves as an Emeritus member of the Board of 
Directors, the company will hold its annual ``Handicapable Leadership'' 
Award Dinner in Chicago on Tuesday, October 16, 1999. The keynote 
speaker will be Ted Kennedy, Jr., a nationally known spokesperson and a 
leading advocate for the civil rights of people with disabilities.
  The company's mission is twofold: (1) to provide a mainstream plant 
environment in which Handicapable people can work and earn a paycheck 
as well as the dignity that comes from being employed productively on a 
full-time basis; and (2) to provide its private sector customers with 
the best possible quality, price and service.
  As everyone understands, budget constraints compel us to look for 
ways to effectively address important needs without government 
subsidies, and Opportunity, Inc. is leading the way in this regard. A 
model of community response and innovation, the company demonstrates 
how competitive and productive handicapable employees can be. 
Opportunity, Inc. built and continues to operate the nation's only not-
for-profit, certified class 100,000 ``clean rooms'' for medical and 
surgical packaging.
  When I visited Opportunity, Inc., however, I learned that its 
business success, while impressive, pales in significance to the 
positive contributions it has made to its employees' lives. I 
experienced firsthand how proud, dedicated and competitive they are. As 
one man said to me, ``Congressman, all we need is a fair chance to 
compete. That's what we get there at Opportunity and just look at the 
results!'' Clearly, Opportunity, Inc. is an organization that lives up 
to its name.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a congressional district that 
includes enterprises of this caliber. It is my pleasure to salute the 
employees, management and directors of Opportunity, Inc., and the Grand 
Marshall of Ceremonies John Cortesi on the occasion of their annual 
dinner, and to extend my personal congratulations to Sage Products and 
Allegiance Healthcare, who are the recipient of this year's 
Handicapable Leadership Award.

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