[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      A TRIBUTE TO ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR YOLANDA COLLAZOS KIZER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2000

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding fellow Arizonan, Yolanda Collazos Kizer. Yolanda is a well-
respected business and community leader in Arizona and Phoenix, and 
someone I'm proud to call my friend.
  Yolanda was recently awarded the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year 
award by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the year 2000. 
This award was established to honor extraordinary individuals that have 
not only been successful in the business world, but who have 
contributed to the community on a broader scale. The award recognizes 
Ms. Kizer for her influence as a role model among small business owners 
and in the Hispanic community.
  Yolanda is the owner and president of three Phoenix-based businesses: 
CASA Fenix Merchandising owns and operates retail concessions at 
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Builder's Book Depot is a 
retail, mail order and electronic commerce bookstore that specializes 
in construction, architecture, interior design and engineering books; 
and Builders' Book Publishing Company produces speciality business 
management texts for the construction industry.
  Yolanda is an active community leader and has served on a multitude 
of boards and commissions. Currently she sits on the Executive 
Committee of the City of Phoenix Sister Cities Commission and on the 
Governor's Diversity Council. She has professional affiliations that 
include memberships in the National Association of Women Business 
Owners, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Chamber 
of Commerce, the Association of Minority Owned Airport Concessions, and 
the American Booksellers Association. She has previously served on the 
City of Phoenix Commission on the Economy, First Interstate Bank 
Community Advisory Board, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum and 
Exposition Center Board of Directors, and the Governor's Strategic Plan 
for Economic Development. She is also the former President and Board 
member of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  Not only is Yolanda a tireless worker in the business community, she 
also spends many hours giving back and facilitating the success of 
others. Yolanda has served as a mentor to many young women, and she is 
a founding member of MUJER, a Hispanic women's organization in Arizona. 
Yolanda has given freely of her experience and expertise by giving 
seminars and lectures throughout the Valley of the Sun. As a policy 
maker, through her various civic roles, she has made important 
contributions to and helped to shape today's business environment.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can surmise, Yolanda Kizer is an exemplary 
community leader and a true role model for young entrepreneurs across 
the nation. Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to my friend 
Yolanda, congratulate her on this most recent accomplishment, and wish 
her continued success.

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