[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E746-E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JAN DOETS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jan Doets for his 
lifetime commitment to the tourism industry and his role as a goodwill 
ambassador for America.
  Jan Doets has been a leader and innovator in the tourism industry 
throughout his 40 year career, making him an invaluable resource to his 
colleagues and a strong force in the tourism community. Jan has a wide 
variety of talents, but has specialized exclusively in American travel 
arrangements for the last 20 years. He has been responsible for sending 
over 150,000 people to California to appreciate the beauty of our 
state.
  Jan Doets is truly the epitome of an entrepreneur. Already a 
successful member of the tourism community in the Netherlands, he was 
the first direct seller of tours from the Netherlands to the United 
States. It comes as no surprise then that after the American component 
of his business was founded, he and his wife Sietske watched their 
business flourish. Jan was so successful that in 1983 he was known as 
Mr. America #1 in the tourism community.
  In 1990, Jan renamed his business Jan Doets American Tours and it has 
continued to grow as he constantly adds new services and tours of the 
United States. Jan and his daughter Elske have traveled thousands of 
miles experiencing the country so that he might share his knowledge 
with others who wish to explore America. He has sent over a quarter 
billion dollars to the United States in business, and has been a 
frequent visitor to Mariposa County and Yosemite National Park. 
Throughout Jan's career he has shown deep ties, commitment and 
partnership with our country, communities and individual county visitor 
bureaus. He has made it his lifetime goal to share the best that 
America has to offer with his fellow citizens of the Netherlands. Jan 
has truly been a significant force in bringing the United States and 
the Netherlands closer together.
  As Jan Doets retires we not only honor his lifetime commitment to the 
tourism industry, but also his unparalleled generosity, strength and 
dedication to his work and loved ones. Jan Doets has truly left his 
mark on our community forever.

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