[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 27 (Tuesday, March 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO MR. BOON SWAN FOO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2002

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
gentleman I have come to know and respect in recent years as we have 
worked on defense and economic development-related opportunities for 
South Texas.
  I want to commend Mr. Boon Swan Foo, the former Deputy Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Technologies, for winning the 
title of Outstanding CEO for 2000. The award is one of several 
Singapore Business Awards administered by the Business Times and DHL 
Worldwide Express.

[[Page E318]]

  Singapore Technologies designs, develops, manufactures and markets a 
range of engineering opportunities for both the military and commercial 
uses. Mr. Boon has been with the company since 1979, beginning as a 
marine engineer.
  His vision to take this global enterprise to the next level was not 
hot air; he did it the old-fashioned way, from the ground up, taking 
care of the assorted details along the way. Market capitalization grew 
by $6 billion in roughly five years and he raised disclosure standards.
  He has two philosophies for running a successful company. One, he got 
the best people by recruiting, retaining and retraining. He found 
smart, talented people; he enticed them to stay and he offered them 
continual professional development.
  The other philosophy is enshrined in the company motto: ``A bowstring 
which is always kept taut will soon become over-stretched, lose its 
elasticity and cease to be of use. So it is with human beings, who must 
alternate work with relaxation.''
  To that end, this high-level executive lives on the edge by indulging 
in deep sea diving and skydiving. Between these activities he is an 
avid jogger.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending my friend, Boon Swann 
Foo, for winning the prestigious Business Award.

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