[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE EMPLOYEES OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
26,000 employees of Arthur Andersen who are facing great uncertainty as 
the Department of Justice pursues its federal obstruction of justice 
charges. In the State of Connecticut, Andersen employs more than 500 
and in my District, over 300 are employed in the Hartford office. These 
hardworking employees are facing the possibility of layoffs and general 
insecurity about the future of the company to whom they have dedicated 
themselves.
  Walking around Capitol Hill, I have witnessed the sea of yellow 
shirts that signify the faithful Andersen employees who are pleading 
their innocence. I have met face-to-face with the Andersen employees in 
my District and I am impressed by their loyalty and resolve. These 
employees have done nothing but come to work everyday and perform their 
duties. Despite their uncertain future, they still do. I could 
understand why they might feel betrayed by a select few who made poor 
decisions in a city two thousand miles away. However, they still serve 
their customers with the same professionalism as they did before Enron 
became a household name.
  I would like to offer my praise to Hartford's Andersen office for 
being a solid corporate citizen in our community. Employees proudly 
proclaim that they donated nearly $100,000 last year to the United Way, 
contributed to Hartford's ``Dress for Success'' program to provide 
professional attire to those moving from welfare to work, volunteered 
on two Habitat for Humanity projects, and gave $160,000 to local civic 
organizations. Their thankless contributions should now be recognized.
  I wish that I could offer Andersen employees my assurances that their 
jobs will be safe and their company will rebound. However, I can offer 
my support and encouragement for work well done in good times and bad. 
I can offer my thanks for charitable contributions to our community. 
And I can ask my colleagues to join me in this endeavor and reach out 
to the innocent Andersen employees in their districts. Let them know 
that their hard work is appreciated and that their community will not 
abandon them during this difficult period.

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