[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ADRIAN MALDONADO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Adrian 
Maldonado on the occasion of his retirement as Director of the Office 
of Procurement and Diversity in Cuyahoga County. His vision, leadership 
and commitment to his work has had a profound impact on developing 
Cuyahoga County and on the Greater Cleveland community.
  Adrian Maldonado began his career in public service twenty-seven 
years ago, when he was hired as a personnel interviewer at MetroHealth 
Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Four years later, in 1985, he began 
working for the State of Ohio in the Department of Administrative 
Services as a minority business specialist. For fourteen years, he 
worked tirelessly with minority business entrepreneurs in my district, 
helping them secure contracts under Ohio's HB584 Minority Set-Aside 
program after almost eleven years, he is retiring from his position as 
the Director of Diversity and Procurement in Cuyahoga County.
  Mr. Maldonado's leadership and vision as Director of the Office of 
Procurement and Diversity for Cuyahoga County changed the county 
immensely. He and his staff worked diligently to improve the county's 
purchasing operating system and its purchasing and operating 
procedures, leading the county to be recognized by Purchasing Magazine 
as one of country's top Big 20 Purchasers. Under his leadership, the 
Office of Procurement and Diversity created a small business enterprise 
program which assists small businesses in procuring county contracts. 
Since implementing this program, Cuyahoga County has consistently met 
or exceeded the 30% subcontracting goal for all county contracts.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Adrian 
Maldonado, and in recognition of his leadership, vision and dedication 
to his work and to the community.

                          ____________________