[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E581-E582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO MR. MAI TRAN AND MR. BRUCE HOTTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate Mr. Mai Tran and Mr. Bruce Hottman of Information 
Technology Experts in Fort Collins, Colorado on being named Small 
Business Persons of the Year by the Small Business Administration.
  Over the course of its 10-year history, ITX has consistently been 
recognized as one of Colorado's foremost small businesses. As a leading 
provider of full-service Information Technology support in Northern 
Colorado, ITX has earned the confidence of numerous corporate, non-
profit, and governmental organizations. The leadership and expertise 
demonstrated by Mr. Tran and Mr. Hottman have resulted in the 
tremendous expansion and growth of ITX. In only 6 years, ITX has more 
than tripled the size of its workforce to 95 individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, the remarkable economic success realized by ITX pales in 
comparison to the extraordinary generosity and commitment to the 
community embodied by members of the ITX family. Following the 2004 
Asian tsunami disaster, ITX generously contributed funds to aid Chennai 
victims and was subsequently honored by the City of Fort Collins with a 
key to the city. Additionally, ITX has been lauded for providing much-
needed computer equipment to the Asian Chamber of Commerce and 
discounted IT services to over a dozen Northern Colorado non-profit 
organizations.
  As a member of the Governor's Minority Business Advisory Council, Mai 
Tran is a recognized leader in the small business community and is 
active in addressing issues that affect minority businesses across the 
State. He personifies his own belief that through skill, hard work, and 
determination, minority businesses strengthen Colorado's economy.
  At the age of 16, Mr. Tran fled to the United States after South 
Vietnam fell to communism. Through a great deal of determination and 
hard work, Mr. Tran overcame his lack of English skills and went on to 
earn a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Colorado State 
University. Today, as President and CEO of ITX, Mr. Tran's dedication 
and commitment to others serves as an inspiration to his employees and 
his community.

  As co-founder and Executive Vice President of ITX, Mr. Hottman's 
wealth of experience and expertise in the field of information 
technology have ensured the success of ITX and its continued 
contributions to the community. After graduating from Colorado State 
University with a degree in computer information systems, Mr. Hottman 
worked at United Banks and the United States Department of Agriculture 
before joining the Western Area Power Administration as Project Leader. 
While at WAPA, Mr. Hottman and Mr. Tran worked together as a high 
performing team of lT professionals, and in 1996 they decided to form 
their own IT services provider. Like Mr. Tran, Mr. Hottman's 
involvement in the Fort Collins Foothills Rotary Club and other 
community organizations has inspired and encouraged the employees of 
ITX to become active members of their community.
  I am proud to represent individuals with such a remarkable 
entrepreneurial and compassionate spirit. Mr. Speaker, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the many accomplishments and 
selfless dedication of Mr. Mai Tran and Mr. Bruce Hottman.

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