[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E678-E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES E. VENY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2002

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize James E. Veny for 
his exemplary service to the community. Jim Veny was born and raised in 
White Plains, New York, and attended White Plains High School.
  In the summer of 1963, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and was selected to 
be a part of the Navy's Nuclear Power Submarine Program. During his 
tour, Jim attended various naval schools, traveled around the world, 
and was a featured soloist of the U.S. Navy's Naval Choir at Great 
Lakes, Illinois. Jim served one year in the Vietnam War, concluding a 
seven-year career in the Navy.
  After the Navy, Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction 
from Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire. In 1975, he 
completed his formal academic studies by receiving a Masters in 
Business Administration degree from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth 
College.
  Fortunately for those of us in the Bay Area, Jim moved to San Jose in 
July of 1980, working for FMC (Food Machinery Corporation, which is now 
United Defense). In 1983, he was appointed Community Relations Manager 
at United Defense, focusing the department on four areas of need in the 
community--the arts, diversity, social service, and education. Jim 
quickly learned that to do community work and to make an impact he had 
to get personally involved.
  Jim has served on the boards of the following organizations: the Boy 
Scouts and Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County, the 100 Black Men of 
Silicon Valley, and the African American Community Service Agency. Over 
the years, Jim's greatest commitment has been to the education of young 
people, and he has been recognized by organizations in San Jose

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for this commitment. Most recently, he has been the recipient of the 
Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators 2001 LaVerne Owens 
Community Service Award, the City of San Jose 2000 Excellence in 
Education Award, and the 1998 KNTV `Spirit of Excellence Award' for 
community service.
  Working with students in the community is more than a job for Jim--it 
is a way of life. Under Jim's guidance, United Defense adopted San Jose 
High Academy in 1983, and over time created a summer high school 
internship program. This unique program allows students to learn about 
the corporate environment, while gaining valuable work experience and 
earning money.
  Clearly, Jim Veny has shown a lifetime of commitment towards making 
the community a better place, and his experience with San Jose High 
Academy has shown that individual involvement can make a difference for 
the better. We in San Jose are thankful for Jim's commitment to our 
community.

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