[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING NIELS CHEW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Niels Chew, President and CEO of Dowling Miner Magnetics as the third 
recipient of the Sonoma Valley Business of the Year award.
  Mr. Chew purchased Dowling Miner Magnetics, a company that produces 
industrial, educational and toy magnets, in 1967 when it was a one-man 
operation. It has since grown to a more than $6 million business with 
more than 45 employees.
  Not only has Mr. Chew run a very successful business that has 
provided many jobs to people in our community, including a significant 
number of persons with disabilities, but he has also been a tireless 
community volunteer.
  He has served as a trustee of the Sonoma Valley Unified School 
District, a member of the board of the Sonoma Overnight Shelter and is 
a past president of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Chew currently serves as a board member of the El Nido Teen 
Center, the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, the Sonoma Plaza Kiwanis 
Club and is a mentor with the Stand By Me mentoring program.
  He and his wife, Susan, are ardent supporters of Friends in Sonoma 
Helping (FISH), contributing their time, talent and financial 
assistance to this community organization.
  Mr. Speaker, Niels Chew is a man of remarkable talent and commitment 
and it is therefore appropriate for us to honor him today as he has 
been selected by his peers to be Sonoma Valley's Businessman of the 
Year.




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