[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CITRUS COUNTY INDUSTRY APPRECIATION WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor 
of Citrus County Industry appreciation Week, A 21 year-old tradition 
that originated in my Fifth Congressional District to honor our 
industries and recognize their contributions to our communities.
  Last Thursday, industry executives and employees, along with 
community activists and residents kicked off the week-long celebration. 
Upcoming events include a Thursday afternoon barbecue to wrap up the 
week and an awards luncheon, to take place today, to recognize 
outstanding local businesses and business professionals for outstanding 
public service, employee relations, and contributions to the community.
  Awards being given at the event will go to Citrus County's Most 
Outstanding Small Business, Most Outstanding Employer or Corporate 
Citizen, and Person of the Year. I wish all those in the running for 
these awards well--and send this year's organizers my regrets! I am 
surely missing a great event.
  We all know that industry creates jobs-- which no one will argue is a 
bad thing--and it broadens the tax base of an area, meaning cities and 
municipalities take in more revenue to spend on public works projects, 
on our schools, and on a whole host of other things vital to the 
community. Industries also regularly contribute charitably to citizen 
groups and organizations, volunteering time and resources to improve 
the area where they do business and where their employees live.
  Recently, following Citrus County's lead, the State of Florida has 
begin celebrating a statewide Industry Appreciation Week as well, 
giving the entire Sunshine State the opportunity to realize just how 
much we all benefit from having the industries that we do.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to represent an area of Florida that 
started the trend, if you will, of honoring local businesses and 
recognizing their place in our communities. I ask that you and my 
colleagues in this body join me in congratulating Citrus County and 
wishing them well as they conclude their Industry Appreciation Week.

                          ____________________