[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO ROBERT B. WEGMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2006

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor Robert 
B. Wegman, chairman of Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., who died on April 
20, 2006, at the age of 87. Mr. Wegman was surrounded by his family, as 
he passed away peacefully in his hometown of Rochester, NY.
  Mr. Wegman made his mark as a pioneer in the supermarket industry, 
transforming the conventional grocery store into a superstore, emulated 
by others across the country. Mr. Wegman's passion for business began 
as a child, when he worked in the family store operated from the front 
of his grandmother's home. He developed a philosophy that has served as 
the foundation for the company. He believed: ``I am a merchant and I 
have, therefore, my own philosophy about merchandising. That is: To do 
something that no one else is doing, and to be able to offer the 
customer a choice that she doesn't have at the moment.'' Mr. Wegman 
embodied the American entrepreneurial spirit from the start, and proved 
to be one of the most successful businessmen in the grocery store 
industry.
  From the beginning, Mr. Wegman made it his goal to make Wegmans 
supermarkets the finest chain in the country--he was not concerned if 
it was the fastest growing, but more with growth itself. In 1930, Mr. 
Wegman and his brother received national attention with the opening of 
their innovative grocery store. The 20,000-square-foot store was unlike 
anything seen before--it featured modern techniques for keeping produce 
fresh with vaporized water spray and refrigerated food displays. Over 
the next 56 years, Mr. Wegman transformed his store with the concept of 
one-stop-shopping. He imported fine cheeses, and wine, ethnic foods, 
and introduced patisseries and prepared foods into the grocery stores. 
In the 20th century, Wegman integrated pharmacies, photo labs and video 
departments into his stores, propelling the model for customer 
convenience to its highest levels.
  Wegmans Food Markets has expanded to now over 70 stores, and the 
company is now as well known for its corporate responsibility as it is 
for exceptional customer service. Wegmans Food Markets has been named 
one of `The Top 100 Companies to Work For' by Fortune magazine several 
years in a row, and in 2005 was ranked #1 as the best company to work 
for in the nation. Fortune's annual ranking of companies is determined 
by the number of employees and is measured by benefits, job growth, 
pay, percentage of minorities and women, and turnover. For example, 
Wegmans provides a scholarship program which has given close to $60 
million in tuition assistance to its employees. Although the superstore 
helped to shape the Rochester community, Robert Wegman has crafted his 
company into one that serves as a national model, both for its 
corporate success and for the opportunities and environment he has 
provided for his employees.
  Mr. Wegman is also highly admired for his philanthropy. In 1995, he 
and his wife, Peggy, announced a 10-year, $25 million gift in support 
of Catholic education, allowing hundreds of families to choose Catholic 
education in the Rochester-area community. Mr. Wegman also made 
considerable contributions to Aquinas Institute high school, giving $10 
million to the school for new athletic facilities and a fine arts 
center. In 1997, Wegmans Food Markets became the title sponsor of the 
Wegmans Rochester LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association); with 
proceeds supporting camps for disabled children. Most recently, Mr. 
Wegman contributed a combined $13 million to St. John Fisher College, 
which will be used for the establishment of the Wegmans School of 
Pharmacy and the Wegmans School of Nursing.
  Mr. Wegman's pursuit of excellence is portrayed in every aspect of 
his life: family, community, and corporate responsibility. He will be 
remembered as a pioneer and leader of his industry and for his 
extraordinary compassion and generosity.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Robert Wegman.

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