[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 215]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO L. GEORGE YAP AND LEASA INDUSTRIES CO., INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 24, 2002

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor George Yap, the 
President and Chief Executive Officer of LEASA Industries, Inc., which 
is located in the heart of one of the poorest neighborhoods in my 17th 
Congressional District.
  George Yap is a special man, and a truly gifted businessman. He has 
demonstrated beyond all doubt that businesses can operate successfully 
and profitably in poor communities, relying on neighborhood workers to 
produce their products, if management has a sound business plan and the 
commitment to make it work.
  George Yap is responsible for nothing less than an economic 
transformation of an area in my district that had few economic 
opportunities.
  George has reached out to the people in his neighboring community in 
a way that no one else has. LEASA currently employs 70 full and part-
time workers, the majority of whom are residents of public housing who 
include single mothers, school drop outs and even ex-convicts. Many of 
his workers have been with the company for more than 10 years and have 
moved up to supervisory positions.
  He has been unselfish in extending his help to people who reside in 
public housing--people who other businesses, even government leaders, 
considered unemployable. He recognized and fostered in them the 
personal pride, desire for achievement, ability to learn, loyalty and 
commitment that any successful business needs from its employees.
  In so doing, George Yap proved to be more than just an employer, and 
his workers received more than just wages. He has been the biggest 
motivator and supporter of his employees, helping to keep families 
together, encouraging them to improve their skills and learn new ones, 
and improving their quality of life by providing day care for their 
children and insuring that they receive the health services they need. 
George also provides mentoring services to new entrepreneurs. Under his 
guidance, LEASA Industries has won national awards from the U.S. Small 
Business Administration, Inc. Magazine and the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce.
  This Saturday, January 26, LEASA Industries will break ground on a 
new $4.6 million production facility in the Poinciana Industrial Park. 
I was happy to assist in this effort by legislatively directing almost 
$2 million in federal Economic Development funds to this project, which 
is truly a wise public investment.
  I know that my colleagues join with me in offering congratulations to 
George, his wife Einez, and there three children Andrew, Sean, and 
Allison for a job well done.

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