[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E231-E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH PADDILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize Mr. Joseph Paddilla of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Padilla's 
efforts have helped countless members of the Colorado community. 
Through his construction work, Joe has made a difference in the lives 
of others.
  Joe began his career in construction while still in high school, 
helping his father to build and remodel kitchens. Following high 
school, he attended the University of Florida. In 1982, Joe started his 
own business, Town & Country Kitchens, designing and manufacturing 
custom kitchens. In his role as owner, Joe was a pioneer in the 
construction of handicapped accessible kitchens even before building 
codes had mandated their construction. It was for this kind of forward 
thinking that Mr. Paddilla was awarded the Mayor's Award for 
Outstanding Contribution to the Disabled Community in 1983.
  Mr. Paddilla's efforts to help the handicapped community have been 
innumerable. On behalf of Police Officer Toby Bethel, who was injured 
in the line of duty, Joe was instrumental in designing and financing a 
kitchen

[[Page E232]]

that Officer Bethel could use. Joe worked diligently with the Denver 
Home Builders Foundation to assist Officer Bethel. I would like 
personally to thank Mr. Paddilla for all of his hard work on this 
project. He and his company have also designed and built a $1.5 
million, state-of-the-art home as a donation to Cherish the Children, 
an organization that provides educational assistance to children. He is 
currently the president and chairman of the Costuyendo Education 
Network, a program that educates minority and immigrant construction 
workers through bilingual education, teaching them how to start their 
own businesses in Colorado. Mr. Paddilla has helped his community in 
many ways, and continues with his active involvement in various 
philanthropic organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I recognize Mr. Joseph 
Paddilla before this body of Congress and this nation. Through his 
efforts to help his community, Mr. Paddilla has served others in an 
exceptional manner, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to pay 
tribute to him.

                          ____________________