[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO RIC JURGENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 13, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of 
Hy-Vee Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ric Jurgens, and to express 
my appreciation for his years of service to his company and to the 
people of Iowa.
  For Ric, successfully assuming the head responsibilities of one of 
the Midwest's largest grocery companies was no accident. He has been a 
dedicated employee of Hy-Vee for 42 years. His career with Hy-Vee began 
as a part-time employee, stocking shelves in Ames, while pursuing his 
degree at Iowa State University. Upon graduation, Mr. Jurgens was 
offered his first full-time position in the company and has been 
climbing the ranks ever since. Most notably, in 2001, Mr. Jurgens 
became Hy-Vee's third president in company history; two years later Ric 
would be elected as Hy-Vee's CEO and by 2006 he had been elected as 
Chairman of the Board.
  Mr. Jurgens' successful tenure is one that will never be forgotten by 
the Hy-Vee family. Under Ric, Hy-Vee enjoyed record sales to the tune 
of a staggering 7.3 billion dollars for 2011 from 235 stores across 
eight states. Ric has overseen Hy-Vee's transformation from a 
respectable grocery store chain to an industry-leading powerhouse that 
still prides itself on staying true to its foundation--the employees. 
Above all, the employee owned Hy-Vee will always be about rewarding 
hard work, even providing the unique opportunity for a part-time 
employee to someday hold the company's highest office.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout his entire professional career, Ric has never 
wavered in his commitment to providing excellent service and quality 
products to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. While Hy-Vee will 
surely miss Mr. Jurgen's expertise, he leaves his company, which is 
stronger than ever, in good hands. I ask the House to join me in 
congratulating Mr. Jurgens on a job well done, and I wish Ric and his 
wife Carol a long, happy and healthy retirement.