[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1199-E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. KIRTI DESAI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2007

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would like to take the time to 
recognize the most recent achievement of an outstanding member of the 
New Jersey community, Mr. Kirti Desai. In a ceremony on Ellis Island on 
Saturday May 12, 2007, NECO presented Mr. Desai with the Ellis Island 
Medal of Honor.
  The Ellis Island Medal of Honor recognizes individuals from diverse 
ethnic backgrounds who have successfully maintained their cultural 
heritage and traditions while making outstanding achievements in their 
communities, personal lives, and professional endeavors. Since 1986 the 
Ellis Island Medal of Honor has been sponsored by NECO, a non-profit 
organization with a mission ``to honor our diverse Past, to advocate 
for positive change in the Present, and to build strong leaders for the 
Future.''
  For over twenty years U.S. Presidents, artists, athletes, 
businessmen, entrepreneurs, and humanitarians have been recognized with 
this prestigious award. In receiving this award, Mr. Desai ranks among 
an impressive list of past medalist recipients ranging from former 
President Bill Clinton to famed athlete Muhammad Ali. With his own list 
of notable achievements, Mr. Desai is well deserved in finding a place 
among these outstanding Americans.
  Mr. Kirti Desai, better known as Kenny, is the President, CEO, and 
founder of TAK Group of Companies. With a Master's Degree in Civil 
Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, a hard-work ethic, 
and unstoppable determination, Mr. Desai built his business from the 
ground up. Mr. Desai continued to expand his business into a 
conglomerate encompassing an increasing number of markets, eventually 
forming TAK Construction, TAK International, TAK Realty and Investment 
Company, and Sycamore Manor.
  While it is one thing to establish a business, it is quite another to 
receive continuous recognition for its quality and success. In this 
regard, Mr. Desai's companies have been recognized with the New York 
and New Jersey Port Authority's Construction Company of the Year Award 
and SBA Construction Award from Washington, D.C. under the Clinton 
Administration. Successful businesses such as these result from 
exceptional qualities of the individuals behind them.
  As an active member of a number of various philanthropic 
organizations, Mr. Desai is as relentless in his commitment to his 
community as he is to his business companies. Somewhere between 
managing his business

[[Page E1200]]

enterprises and raising three children, Mr. Desai is a leader in 
cultural and educational institutions including serving as a Director 
and Board member of the Bharitya Vidya Bhavan; the Chairman of the 
Indian Culture Society of Union, New Jersey, and the President of Vraj. 
He has even been involved in aiding the completion of the Mahatma 
Gandhi Center and Hindu Temple in Wayne, New Jersey.
  The New Jersey State Assembly and the Township of Clark, New Jersey 
have already written proclamations acknowledging Mr. Desai's remarkable 
achievements in his life. It is only fitting that I now also 
acknowledge Mr. Desai's most recent recognition. I would like to thank 
Mr. Desai for his contributions to the New Jersey community and 
congratulate him on this Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

                          ____________________