[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING NAIOP-NEW MEXICO

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to honor the New Mexico chapter of NAIOP which received the prestigious 
Chapter of the Year award, for the medium chapter category, at NAIOP's 
annual retreat on February 10, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
  NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, was 
founded in 1967 and is the leading organization for developers, owners, 
and related professionals in office, industrial, retail and mixed-use 
real estate. With 52 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, 
NAIOP comprises more than 15,000 members. It advances responsible 
commercial real estate development while simultaneously advocating for 
effective public policy.
  The New Mexico chapter of NAIOP, founded in 1981, was originally 
comprised of less than 10 members. The chapter has grown with vigor and 
today proudly counts more than 260 members in its ranks. NAIOP-New 
Mexico has been successful in advocating for their members at the 
local, state, and federal level. In addition to Chapter of the Year, I 
am proud to report that they were honored for the excellence of their 
Legislative and Government Affairs at the annual retreat.
  The work that NAIOP-New Mexico performs is important not only because 
it promotes job growth and excellence in the commercial real estate 
industry, but also because of its educational programs. For example, 
the Developing Leaders Program provides members under 35 with the tools 
necessary to excel and become future leaders in commercial real estate. 
In the past three years, they focused on reaching out to millennials 
who are interested in careers in commercial real estate and have grown 
the program by 126%. NAIOP-New Mexico has also partnered with the 
University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College to 
educate students who are interested in commercial real estate, 
providing them with important skills for future careers. In fact, their 
members have donated more than $20,000 to these student projects and 
initiatives. For these accomplishments, NAIOP-New Mexico also received 
the award for the best medium-sized chapter in the Developing Leaders 
Program.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate NAIOP-New 
Mexico for winning three prestigious and competitive awards. In 
particular, I would like to call attention to NAIOP-New Mexico's CEO, 
Tom Bisaquino, and President, Lynne Anderson, for their outstanding 
leadership and to commend all the staff and members who made these 
awards possible. I look forward to hearing about the future successes 
of NAIOP-New Mexico as they continue to attract new members, train and 
educate future leaders, and improve commercial real estate in our 
state.
  Congratulations, NAIOP-New Mexico; keep up the great work.

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