[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E152-E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THOMAS G. LANDAAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 2009

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Thomas G. Landaal. Sadly, Mr. Landaal passed away on December 5, 2007, 
at the age of 53, and the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation 
will posthumously induct Tom Landaal into their Circle of Distinguished 
Leaders on March 31st in Washington, DC at the joint meetings of the 
Fibre Box Association and the Association of Corrugated Converters. Mr. 
Landaal will be the ninth person to be inducted into this circle.
  Born in Hinsdale, IL, Tom, as he was known to his friends, relocated 
to Flint, MI as a child. After graduating from Powers Catholic High 
School he obtained two degrees from Ferris State University, an AS 
degree in Building Construction and a BS degree in Business 
Administration. In 1979 he assumed a managerial role in the family 
business, Landaal Packaging Systems. As president of Landaal Packaging 
Systems he went on to become a leader in the packaging industry. He was 
affiliated with the International Corrugated Case Association in Paris, 
the Federation Europeenne des Fabricants de Carton Ondule based in 
Paris, the Sales and Marketing Executives and Technical Association 
Pulp and Paper Industry, as well as the International Corrugated 
Packaging Foundation. Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Fibre 
Box Association and the Independent Corrugated Converters Association. 
He was chair of the Fibre Box Association's Independent Sheet Plant 
Committee and served as the Fibre Box Association's representative on 
the Board of the Independent Corrugated Converters Association for many 
years.
  In addition to his work in packaging industry, Tom Landaal was very 
active in his community and is sorely missed. He held leadership roles 
with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Hurley Medical Center, Hurley 
Foundation, Flint Classroom Support Fund, Hero of Flint, Burton 
Business Association, Burton Economic Development Corporation, Friends 
of Sloan Museum, Flint College and Cultural Center, Incorporated, 
Goodwill Industries of Mid-Michigan, Heartland Manor, Information 
Services of Michigan, Michigan State University, University Affiliated 
Hospitals of Flint, the Industrial Mutual Association, the Genesee 
Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturers Association, and 
Powers Alumni Association. He belonged to several golf and ski groups 
including the National Ski Patrol.
  Madam Speaker, the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation's 
Circle of Distinguished Leaders was instituted to honor

[[Page E153]]

those persons that have brought vision, creativity, and energy to the 
promotion and advancement of the packaging industry. Tom Landaal was an 
advocate for improved technology and safe working conditions. This 
recognition by his peers is a fitting tribute to his enthusiasm for 
designing the best system to deliver the best product to his customers 
and to ensure the packaging industry remained on the cutting edge for 
fulfilling customer needs. I congratulate the International Corrugated 
Packaging Foundation for their selection of Thomas Landaal for this 
honor and hope his example will inspire the next generation to continue 
his work. I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me today and 
applaud the life and work of my good friend, Thomas Landaal.

                          ____________________