[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 51 (Wednesday, May 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E713-E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




BUSINESS LEADERS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY NORTH CENTRAL OHIO ENTREPRENEURIAL 
                              HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2006

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize the 
outstanding accomplishments of three distinguished Ohioans being 
honored by the North Central Ohio Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame on May 
5.
  Shirley Monica began her career with the McDonald's organization in 
1978, when she and her husband invested in three stores in the 
Mansfield area. In 1980, despite a dismal economy, Shirley listened to 
her instincts and opened a store on her own--silencing her detractors a 
year later when the store was named the highest-volume store in the 
United States. Today, Shirley and her family own nine McDonald's 
franchises in north central Ohio. Her stores have repeatedly been 
recognized for their service speed, quality, and overall operational 
excellence.
  Shirley has made her career about more than simply developing 
restaurants. Her coworkers and employees speak of Shirley fondly as a 
leader, mentor, and friend. Her drive for perfection and faith in 
people make Shirley truly worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame.
  Also being inducted is Bill Burgett, a longtime friend who founded 
the Kokosing Construction Company in 1950. Based in Fredericktown, 
Kokosing is a regional leader

[[Page E714]]

in the construction of industrial plants, road bridges, and underground 
utility systems. Last year, the company ranked 67th in a listing of the 
top 400 national contractors. Employing more than 2,500 Ohio workers, 
Kokosing operates five divisions and five subsidiary companies.
  Bill has conducted his entire career with dedication to integrity and 
excellence. All five of his children have voluntarily joined the 
company, which says even more about Bill's character than the numerous 
community awards he has garnered over the years. His hard work and 
entrepreneurial spirit make him an obvious choice for induction.
  This year, the Hall of Fame is also paying tribute to a 2005 
inductee: Michael M. Vucelic of Ideal Electric in Mansfield. Ideal 
employs nearly 500 people at its Mansfield and Minneapolis facilities.
  Mike acquired a passion for engineering while flying gliders during 
his youth in Yugoslavia. This fascination with mechanics led him to 
Germany--where he served as a design engineer for Mercedes-Benz and the 
Ford Motor Company--and then to the United States, where he worked for 
Cessna.
  By the age of 30, Mike was in charge of overseeing 300 NASA engineers 
on the Apollo program; Mike himself was at the control panel for both 
the Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 missions. Mike left NASA in 1975 for a 20-
year career at Rockwell International, where he rose from engineering 
manager to corporate vice president.
  In 1986, Mike purchased the nearly bankrupt Ideal Electric Company, 
quickly transforming it into the industry leader for diesel engines and 
medium-power generators. His ingenuity and selfless labor make him 
worthy of this recognition.
  I know my colleagues join me in honoring these three exceptional 
business leaders as they are recognized by the North Central Ohio 
Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________