[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 52 (Friday, March 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ROD SLYHOFF, PRESIDENT/CEO, PUEBLO CHAMBER OF 
                                COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LAUREN BOEBERT

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2021

  Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on Monday, March 1, 2021, the city of 
Pueblo lost a community leader and business champion with the passing 
of Rod Slyhoff. Mr. Slyhoff started at the Chamber in 1988 and served 
as an account representative, membership director, Vice President of 
Membership and Small Business Development, and later became President/
CEO in 1994.
  As one of the city's best advocates and greatest boosters, he oversaw 
a period of growth for the Chamber with membership expanding from 800 
to more than 1,300 members.
  Mr. Slyhoff's accomplishments were remarkable, and he led the Pueblo 
Chamber to become a model for others across the West. He helped 
strengthen Pueblo's relationship with one of its sister cities--
Chihuahua, Mexico--by developing trade exchanges of business and 
tourism. He also advanced Pueblo's business agenda at the State Capitol 
and offered solutions for improving the workforce to the National 
Education Trust Conferences.
  Always an advocate for others, Rod increased the Chamber's 
involvement with the El Pomar Foundation and the Black, Latino and 
Asian Emerging Leadership programs. He also served as President of the 
Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives, a member of the United Way of 
Pueblo board, and chairman of the Southern Colorado Business 
Partnership.
  Mr. Slyhoff was recognized for his heartfelt service to the 
community, and he was awarded the United Way Ambassador Award for 
Excellence, the Southern Colorado Press Club Mel Harmon Community 
Award, and the Colorado State University-Pueblo President's Medallion 
for Distinguished Service.
  Rod Slyhoff encouraged local engagement, facilitated cultural 
development, and spread joy throughout the community by founding the 
Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival in 1994 which has brought as many as 
150,000 people to Pueblo annually. Because of Rod, the ``Pueblo Chile'' 
is known throughout the world, and his legacy will endure through the 
Festival every year.
  Mr. Slyhoff had a quick wit, was kind to everyone, and was beloved by 
his community. He was quick to give a listening ear and offer gentle 
advice. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate his life and 
legacy and to offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Alice, daughters 
Katrina and Marcy, and the rest of Rod's family and friends. May they 
find comfort in the words of Scripture, ``the Lord is close to the 
brokenhearted.'' God bless the memory of Rod Slyhoff.

                          ____________________