[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E628-E629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING AIRINC/FOKKER SERVICE IN FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA, ON RECEIVING 
               THE 2007 GOVERNOR'S TRADE EXCELLENCE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor AIRINC/Fokker 
Services located in Fairhope, Alabama, for winning the State of 
Alabama's Governor's Trade Excellence Award.
  Two years ago, Alabama Governor Bob Riley established the Governor's 
Trade Excellence Award to honor businesses of all sizes--from all 
regions of the State of Alabama--for their excellence in exports. The 
goals of the award are to identify Alabama businesses making 
significant contributions to the export business and to promote Alabama 
exporters as role models and supporters to the Alabama business 
community, while encouraging businesses to become involved in the 
global marketplace. The award also aims to increase awareness of the 
impact of exporting on Alabama's economy.
  The eight winners of the award are chosen by a panel from the Export 
Alabama Trade Alliance who judge the businesses on a wide range of 
criteria. Criteria include the level of export sales as a proportion of 
total sales and innovations in exporting. I am proud to announce that 
two out of the eight winners of the Governor's Trade Excellence award 
are located in Alabama's First Congressional District.

[[Page E629]]

  One of the eight recipients of this year's award, AIRINC/Fokker 
Services, specializes in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul work for 
aircraft including Airbus and Boeing airplanes. AIRINC was recognized 
by the award for being an excellent role model to the Alabama business 
community, for its continuous strong support of the entire Alabama 
export community, for its involvement at the international level, and 
for its continued growth as a business themselves. With a 26,000 square 
foot facility and 65 employees, AIRINC brings in approximately $13.5 
million in revenue each year, and regularly sends employees on business 
to parts of Europe and Asia.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating 
both the employees and management team at AIRINC/Fokker Services for 
receiving the Alabama Governor's Trade Excellence Award. I know the 
employees, their friends, families, and members of the community join 
with me in praising AIRINC/Fokker Services for their many 
accomplishments, and I extend my thanks for their continued service to 
the Alabama business community, the First Congressional District, and 
to the international business community.

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