[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO WILLIE AND VERONICA ARTIS

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Willie and Veronica Artis of Flint, Michigan. On October 19, 1999, they 
will be honored by Mott Community College for their many contributions 
to the greater Flint community.
  In 1979, Willie Artis co-founded Genesee Packaging, Inc., a maker of 
corrugated packaging with a focus on the automotive industry. Mr. Artis 
and Mr. Buel Jones began this company by utilizing the opportunities 
that were available to them through General Motors' minority business 
development programs. Using their extensive background in automotive 
contract packaging and corrugated manufacturing, Mr. Artis and Mr. 
Jones were able to penetrate the existing automotive market and build a 
relationship with a General Motors buyer.
  Upon co-founder Buel Jones' retirement, Willie Artis took control of 
the day-to-day operations of the company and implemented a 
restructuring of the organization. Presently, Genesee Packaging employs 
a total of 230 people in three different plants and has just completed 
thirty-three consecutive months of profitability.
  Willie Artis has over twenty-eight years of experience in sales, 
corrugated manufacturing and automotive contract packaging. He obtained 
his education at Wilson College in Chicago, Illinois, and continued his 
education through executive seminars for business owners at Dartmouth 
College. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Genesee Packaging, Inc. in Flint, Michigan.
  Willie Artis' wife, Veronica Artis, is also an instrumental force at 
Genesee Packaging, Inc. Veronica obtained her higher education at the 
University of Wisconsin, Dartmouth College, Wharton School of Business, 
and Harvard University. Before joining Genesee Packaging, Inc, Veronica 
held various positions at Wisconsin Bell and Ameritech. Veronica joined 
Genesee Packaging, Inc. in 1989 as the Vice President of Administration 
and she is a member of the Executive Staff.
  The event at Mott Community College on October 19, 1999, is a salute 
to Mr. and Mrs. Artis' success, their commitment to the greater Flint 
community, and their contributions as fine corporate citizens. A 
scholarship will be established in their names that will be held at the 
Foundation for Mott Community College.
  I join Mott Community College and the entire Flint community in this 
celebration of two distinguished citizens, Willie and Veronica 
Artis.

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