[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MR. ARTHUR F. MESA AS VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF 
                           THE YEAR FOR 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2010

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Arthur F. 
Mesa for his years of civic engagement, leadership and advocacy for 
Guam's veterans. Mr. Mesa, known to his family and friends as ``Art,'' 
is Editor and Publisher of the Guam Veterans News, host of K-57's radio 
show, ``Vet Talk,'' and was recently named the U.S. Small Business 
Administration's ``Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for 
2010.''
  Art served in the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971 as a member of the 
U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. He is a 35-year resident of Guam. 
Following his service in the U.S. Army, Art worked in sales and in 
1985, founded Independent Trading Company trading food products, 
appliances, and construction materials from the mainland to Guam and 
Micronesia. From 1989 to 1996, Art opened and operated Eagle Freight 
Services--which provided air freight services through five offices from 
Guam to the Midwest United States. From 1999 to 2006, Art co-founded 
and managed Auto Services 2000.
  Art has become a prominent figure in our community and serves as a 
Board Member for the Pacific Island Microcredit Institute, an 
organization that provides microloans to veterans and individuals at 
poverty level seeking self sufficiency and business opportunities. A 
strong and dynamic advocate for Guam's veterans' community, Art 
volunteers his time to educate veterans on a variety of issues 
including programs, benefits, health care, legal rights and national 
representation.
  Art's involvement in the veteran community has been recognized by 
various organizations. Art served as the Master of Ceremonies for 
Guam's Annual Veterans Day Memorial Program in 2009 and was a recipient 
of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay's ``Service Above Self Award'' for his 
commitment to our island's veterans. An avid motorcycle rider, Art is a 
member of the Guam Veterans Harley Davidson Organization, which 
provides motorcade escorts for funerals of fallen soldiers and conducts 
other philanthropic activities such as distributing holiday treats to 
children on Guam during their annual Christmas motorcades.
  It is on the occasion of his recognition by the U.S. Small Business 
Administration as their Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year for 
2010, that I join the people of Guam to acknowledge him for his service 
and his commitment to our veteran community.

                          ____________________