[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

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                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly share with my colleagues a 
recent accomplishment by Operations Management International, Inc 
(OMI), which is based in my district. Founded in 1980 by the Colorado-
based, employee-owned CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd., OMI offers complete 
infrastructure development, financing, design, and operations and 
maintenance services. The company manages 160 water and wastewater 
facilities in the Americas, the Middle East and Asia.
  On November 21, 2000, OMI made history by being the first company in 
the water and wastewater industry, as well as the first Colorado-based 
company to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This is 
the nation's premier award for quality achievement. OMI is the only 
company in the service category to win this year. In fact, only four 
companies nationwide will receive the Baldrige Award in all categories 
this year.
  Named after a former Secretary of Commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige 
National Quality Award is an annual honor that recognizes U.S. 
organizations for performance excellence, and is the highest-level 
quality award given in the United States. Given the growth of 
Colorado's economy, and the quality of its workforce, I expect to see 
this award return often to our state.
  The Baldrige Award evaluates organizations on seven performance 
excellence criteria: leadership; strategic planning; customer and 
market focus; information and analysis; human resource focus; process 
management; and performance and business results. OMI uses these 
important criteria as a cornerstone for its Obsessed With Quality 
management process, which focuses on empowering associates to develop 
new approaches to enhance how they perform their jobs. The company's 
mission is summarized in its ``E3'' motto: Exceed customers' 
expectations, empower people and enhance the environment--three main 
goals that illustrate how OMI conducts its business and developed its 
stellar reputation.
  Winning the Baldrige Award rewards the deserving employees at OMI for 
two decades of work that has positively affected millions of lives 
worldwide, through the daily provision of superior utility management 
services. To win such a prestigious award, OMI has proven that its 
emphasis on quality is evident in their work product.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Don 
Evans, the president of OMI and his staff of over 1,400 on their 
outstanding achievement.

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