[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING EDWARD VAN ES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 2010

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Edward Van Es, a business leader and entrepreneur who recently 
passed away. Mr. Van Es served the community of Laredo, Texas greatly 
through his contributions and grand business sense.
  Mr. Van Es was born in Amsterdam, Holland in 1931. During the war, at 
the young age of ten, he was put on a freighter across the water of 
Yesselmer to farmlands where he worked. As a young boy, he witnessed 
the German occupation of Holland and lost two years of school in that 
time, yet returned home after working for eight months. Eventually, his 
country recovered and Mr. Van Es was able to return to school and 
graduate. He also served his country by joining the Dutch Army for two 
years, as a mechanic on tanks.
  By 1953, Mr. Van Es immigrated to the United States where he lived in 
Los Angeles, California. He was a sports car auto mechanic and worked 
at a Jaguar dealership, servicing cars for Hollywood stars. He received 
his Bachelor's from California State College and his Master's from 
California State University in Long Beach. He became an educator--
teaching high school and after receiving his Master's became a college 
professor teaching manual arts. While teaching, Mr. Van Es had 
aspirations to fulfill as an independent franchisee for McDonald's. He 
became certified for his future business career by attending and 
graduating from Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Illinois. He 
developed a franchise in Laredo, Texas where the store's popularity 
grew and attracted tourists from Mexico and further. The franchise in 
Laredo broke all time sales in the industry. Thirty seven years later, 
a total of 16 McDonald's stores opened.
  Mr. Van Es became recognized as one of the top McDonald's Owner/
Operators in the corporation and received numerous awards. He served as 
Board of Director and Advisor to McDonald's Owner Association and was a 
member of the Ronald McDonald House Children's Charities amongst other 
organizations. Laredo Chamber of Commerce named him the Business Person 
of the Year in 2000.
  As a prominent rancher and savvy businessman, Mr. Van Es gave back to 
the community through his dedication and contributions to charitable 
organizations. His 37-year career not only employed thousands, but also 
came to be his extended family and a lifetime service for Laredo, 
Texas. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize 
the late Mr. Van Es.

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