[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ROHO GROUP, OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS, AS THE RECIPIENT OF 
                      THE PRESIDENT'S ``E'' AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2005

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Roho Group, of Belleville, Illinois, for being 
awarded the President's ``E'' Award for Excellence in Exporting.
  ROHO was founded in 1973 by Robert H. Graebe, an electrical engineer 
who wanted to develop a means to heal the pressure sores that plagued 
so many patients at the hospital where he was working. Mr. Graebe 
invented a dry flotation technology in which a cushion mimics the 
properties of water, in a dry, air-fluid environment. This technology 
has proven, in clinical studies, to assist in effectively healing and 
preventing pressure sores.
  ROHO has since developed many variations of their original cushion 
model to address special seating and positioning needs in the medical 
industry. Besides producing a wide range of cushion models, ROHO has 
developed back support systems, mattresses and pressure measurement 
devices.
  In the late 1990's, ROHO entered the consumer marketplace with 
cushions designed for motorcycles, trucks and heavy equipment. ROHO is 
continuing to develop new products and update its product line to 
provide their customers with the best seating and positioning solutions 
available worldwide.
  The Presidential ``E'' Award was created by Executive Order of 
President Kennedy in 1961 as the nation's highest award to honor U.S. 
exporters. U.S. firms are recognized for their competitive achievements 
in world markets and their contributions in increasing U.S. exports.
  The selection process for this prestigious award begins with a 
written application, accompanied by samples of the company's 
international marketing materials. U.S. Export Assistance Center 
directors make their endorsements of applicants and forward these to a 
committee representing the U.S Government's various trade interests. 
Final selection is made by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, in the name 
and by the authority of the President.
  Roho Group has distinguished itself as a world leader in the 
production of support surface products used in rehabilitation and wound 
care. The President's ``E'' Award recognizes Roho as a shining example 
of the innovation, product quality and continuous improvement that are 
required to keep U.S. companies competitive in today's global 
marketplace.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating CEO Tom 
Oleksy and all the employees of Roho Group for being awarded the 
Presidential ``E'' Award for Excellence in Exporting.

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