[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THOR CONSTRUCTION'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 35th 
anniversary of the founding of Thor Construction, one of the largest 
minority-owned construction companies in Minnesota, and an industry 
leader for contracting projects nationwide.
   Founded with the objective of becoming the number one minority-owned 
company in the country, Thor Construction is well on its way to 
achieving that goal. Since 1980, Thor has led many of Minnesota's 
largest construction projects. Its impressive track record includes 
work on Target Field, the Minneapolis Central Library, the TCF Bank 
Stadium at the University of Minnesota, the Minneapolis Convention 
Center, and the new Minnesota Vikings football stadium. Thor 
Construction shows no signs of tiring in its mission to provide top-
notch construction work that benefits both workers of color and 
communities at large.
   Richard Copeland, the founder and chairman of Thor, is proud that 
his company ``generates new investments and exponential returns to the 
communities [they] serve.'' This guiding principle of social service in 
conjunction with high-quality development has led to projects in 
countless communities around Minnesota, as well as in at least six 
other states and five foreign countries. These industry leaders have 
jumped at every opportunity to expand their mission, moving well above 
and beyond humble Midwestern beginnings to leave a mark on the world 
around them.
   Thor Construction has received accolades from the City of 
Minneapolis, Black Enterprise, the US Green Building Council, and 
numerous other groups for their innovative approach to constructing 
with purpose. By creating good-paying, union jobs for thousands of 
underserved individuals, Thor Construction continues to ensure that 
building projects also entail community development.
   I am proud to represent the congressional district that Thor 
Construction calls home, and I eagerly await the day that I can 
congratulate them for achieving their goal of becoming the number one 
minority owned company in the United States.

                          ____________________