[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ACKNOWLEDGING MR. DENNIS DOUGHERTY, CEO OF VISUAL ELECTRONICS, LTD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. 
Dennis Dougherty, the CEO of Visual Electronics, Ltd. Dennis has not 
only been a leading entrepreneur in Colorado, he is also an active 
leader of the Human Rights Campaign and an outspoken proponent of civil 
rights. Still a Republican, despite my entreaties to the contrary, 
Dennis is living proof that one can be a hard-driving and successful 
businessman and also contribute to causes that are beyond self-interest 
and the so-called ``bottom line.''
  A Colorado newspaper recently published a profile on Dennis Dougherty 
and included some highlights of his career in the ever-changing high 
technology sector. I would like to share a few items that describe 
Dennis and his contributions to both the private and public sectors:

       As the hands-on director of a 25 year old customer service-
     oriented company, Dougherty has weathered tough economic 
     times by stressing attention to client satisfaction. Visual 
     Electronics marketing manager, Kim Johnson, said, ``If you 
     make a client happy, they're going to come back to you.''
       Dennis was raised in Omaha, Nebraska and served in Vietnam 
     after being drafted by the Army. Dennis served honorably and 
     in a time and place where being an ``out gay person'' was 
     unheard of and dangerous.
       Through 12 hour work days and a continuing commitment to 
     meet the needs of his customers, Dennis built a multi-million 
     dollar company providing ACD monitoring systems for call 
     centers, 911 emergency operations, help desks and tech 
     support lines. Visual Electronics is, in its own way, a prime 
     example of the growth potential in technology services.
       Dougherty has also been a regional and national 
     philanthropist, supporting human rights work, aimed at 
     establishing equal rights for gays and lesbians. Dennis is 
     also a major supporter of the Colorado AIDS Project and the 
     National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, 
     Colorado.

  Coloradans are proud of Dennis Dougherty and the contribution he and 
his company have made to our state. Through his attention to detail, 
his strong people skills, his sales acumen and his outstanding 
commitment to his work colleagues, Dennis and Visual Electronics, Ltd. 
are valuable members of our business community and I am proud to 
recognize him today.

                          ____________________