[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 75 (Saturday, May 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO PROVIDIAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely honored and proud to rise today 
to salute Providian Financial Corporation for its selection as this 
year's Quality Cup service industry award winner, as named by the 
Rochester Institute of Technology and USA Today.
  On learning of Providian's selection, I felt a special sense of pride 
in knowing that this company is based in the Bay Area and that 
thousands of its employees live and work in my district.
  Providian is an outstanding corporate citizen. In my own district, 
Providian partnered with the NFL Oakland Raiders to raise more than 
$40,000 last year for a children's education center. The company's 
dedication to the community translates to its business practices as 
seen by this recognition of its high quality customer service.
  Providian also deserves commendation serving people along every point 
of the economic spectrum. The company believes that providing access to 
credit helps people build better lives. And, it works hard to help 
people obtain and manage the credit they need.
  To ensure quality service, Providian records every sales call. It has 
empowered its customer representatives to resolve complaints on the 
first call. It has put in place new systems to help customers protect 
their credit records with last-minute payments by phone and the 
Internet. With initiatives like these, Providian has made service its 
hallmark.
  Remarkably, Providian has implemented these changes and recorded a 
steep drop in complaints at the same time it has dramatically increased 
the number of customers it serves.
  I hope my colleagues in the House, and all Americans, will join me in 
saluting Providian for a job well done. I hope that all of corporate 
America will look at their example of being a good corporate citizen.

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