[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING ATHLETICO AND ITS FOUNDER, MARK KAUFMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2012

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and thank 
AthletiCo Physical and Occupational Therapy for serving the greater 
Chicagoland region for more than twenty years. AthletiCo is a rapidly 
expanding rehabilitation, outreach, and fitness center enterprise that 
has grown in size and now has over 60 facilities.
   When founder Mark Kaufman first opened for business in 1991, 
AthletiCo had only one employee and two clients. Two decades later, 
AthletiCo operates throughout Northeastern Illinois, Milwaukee, and 
Northwest Indiana and employs more than 1,100 clinical and 
administrative staff. Mr. Kaufman's team has expanded over the years to 
include physical and occupational therapists, certified athletic 
trainers, personal trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, and 
massage therapists.
   AthletiCo currently serves a large clientele of workers on 
disability, assisting their recovery and helping injured people get 
back to work. AthletiCo also closely associates with over 150 local 
high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams including 
Illinois' own Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls, helping 
athletes stay in shape and recover from injury.
   Mr. Kaufman also has a reputation for treating his employees well, 
allowing him to retain a happy and effective staff. AthletiCo 
prioritizes continuing education for its employees and also provides 
post-professional education through in-house training, tuition 
reimbursements, and orthopedic clinical residency programs.
   I am proud to have this business in my district, and I look forward 
to its continuing positive impact. I am grateful for the services Mr. 
Kaufman and AthletiCo provide in Chicagoland and the surrounding areas. 
Please join me in celebrating AthletiCo as they continue to pursue 
their mission of improving the health and wellbeing of local men, 
women, and children.

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