[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 65 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNITION OF SBC COMMUNICATIONS FOR RECEIVING THE RON BROWN AWARD FOR 
                          CORPORATE LEADERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2002

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today it is my privilege to recognize SBC 
Communications for receiving the Ron Brown Award for Corporate 
Leadership. This award highlights SBC Communications' commitment to 
South Texas and many other communities it serves. It is a tribute to 
SBC's desire to expand small business and volunteer opportunities in 
America.
  Few companies have matched SBC's efforts to foster economic 
development in the communities it serves. By creating and maintaining 
relationships with diverse companies, the Supplier Diversity Program, 
an initiative developed to ensure minority-owned companies are an 
integral part of SBC's supply chain, has been extremely successful in 
integrating local minority entrepreneurs into its economic development 
strategy. In 2001, SBC spent $2.8 billion, or 23.5 percent of all 
procurement, the companies highest level of diversity spending ever, 
with companies owned by minorities, women, and disabled veterans. SBC 
continues to be a model of corporate responsibility.
  SBC has not only been recognized by Commerce Secretary Donald L. 
Evans with this Presidential award, but it has also been recognized by 
the Women's Business Enterprise Council, the National Minority Business 
Council, Working Woman magazine, Fortune magazine, and the National 
Minority Supplier Development Council, NMSDC, for its tireless efforts 
to provide opportunities for minorities. The company has set the 
standard for minority involvement and has never shied away from its 
responsibility to facilitate community involvement and service.
  As evidence of this commitment, SBC spends more than $1 billion 
annually with diverse businesses and was one of 10 companies inducted 
into the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an initiative of the publishers of 
Minority Business News U.S.A. and Women's Enterprise Magazine to 
recognize corporations that make investments in minority owned 
enterprises a priority. In addition, SBC challenged its fellow 
telecommunications companies to improve their supplier diversity and, 
because of that challenge, 70 telecommunications companies have pledged 
to do so.
  We should all commend SBC for its 30 years of dedication to creating 
opportunities for minority business owners. I am proud that SBC calls 
San Antonio home. The city is a better place because of SBC's efforts, 
and our communities across America are stronger because of its service. 
I wish SBC Communications the best in its future endeavors and urge it 
to continue to reach out to minority communities.

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