[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BUENO FOODS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
family-owned business in my home State of New Mexico, which is not only 
a staple and generous partner in the community, but has grown to be one 
of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. This 
company, Bueno Foods, this week celebrates its Golden Anniversary--50 
years of producing premiere New Mexican food products. The company, 
housed in Albuquerque's South Valley, is a pride for the community.
  Started back in 1951, the company provided the means for the Baca 
brothers, Joe, Ray and Augustine, to provide for themselves, their 
family, and improve their community. In the years after World War II, 
the Baca brothers first opened a grocery store that prospered until 
supermarket chains started to infiltrate the Albuquerque market. The 
brothers realized that in order to stay in business for themselves, 
they needed a new direction. So they expanded their business by 
featuring the traditional New Mexican recipes of their mother, 
Filomena. Their company became the first commercial producer of flame-
roasted, fresh frozen green chile. Today the name ``Bueno Foods'' is 
synonymous with that frozen green chile.
  Since those days, the company has grown from a company with five 
employees to one with 240 workers. Still family run by the Baca family, 
its purpose has not only been to provide high-quality, authentic 
products, but also good jobs and active community involvement. Even 
with its large growth, the company has kept its roots and main plant in 
the South Valley, a historic and proud part of Albuquerque.
  Throughout the years, Bueno has remained true to its core values and 
beliefs that center around making people's lives better through jobs 
and opportunity, and contributing to the community. Bueno donates part 
of its profits to charities and scholarships, and every Christmas helps 
to provide food and clothing to the needy.
  As Bueno Foods turns 50, it is celebrating its golden anniversary in 
a way that continues to epitomize those values. The company has teamed 
up with several organizations to host a 4-day fiesta for the South 
Valley's Barelas community, where the Bacas were born and started their 
small business. My congratulations go to Bueno Foods president, 
Jacqueline Baca, the other members of the Baca family who continue the 
legacy of the Baca brothers, and all their employees. I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in saluting this company's success and its 
commitment to the Hispanic entrepreneurial and community 
spirit.

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