[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 30890-30891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING GENE ARGO OF HAYS, PRESIDENT OF MIDWEST ENERGY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a 
Kansan, Mr. Gene Argo, for his commitment to excellence and his 
devotion to service. This year, Mr. Argo will retire as president of 
Midwest Energy, based in my hometown of Hays, Kansas.
  A true man of the west, Gene Argo drew many of his life lessons from 
his youth in Texas, including a profound love of nature and a respect 
for his fellow man. An avid bareback rider, Gene has learned that, 
through hardship and in the face of failure, you must always get back 
on your horse.
  For the past decade, Mr. Argo has tirelessly devoted himself to the 
Midwest Energy Corporation. As president and general manager, he has 
guided the success of the company since 1992. Through his efforts, 
Midwest Energy has grown to serve 40 counties in western Kansas. As 
president, Gene Argo is respected by his employees not only because of 
his work ethic, but because he respects his employees in turn.
  Mr. Argo's passion for progress has also made a profound difference 
in his community. In Hays, Gene Argo served on various civic and 
industry organizations, including the board of directors of the Hays 
Medical Center and the Hays Medical Center Foundation. The community of 
Hays has also benefited under Mr. Argo's leadership as chairman of the 
Ellis County Economic Development Coalition and the Ellis County United 
Way. The growth of Ellis County is a testament to his vision and 
direction.

[[Page 30891]]

  Gene Argo has also invested a great deal in the future of the State 
of Kansas. He supports Kansas youth as a member of the Kansas 4-H 
Foundation and also serves on the board of the Kansas Wildscape 
Foundation. An ardent hunter and sportsman, Gene is dedicated to 
preserving Kansas' natural beauty. As a small token of Kansas' 
appreciation, Mr. Argo was selected as the Leadership Kansas Alumnus of 
the Year in 2002.
  In light of his many efforts and achievements, his family comes 
first. Gene and his wife Linda raised three children and are proud 
grandparents of three grandchildren.
  Respected for his motivation and leadership, his employees will miss 
his starched shirts and smiles upon his retirement. I join his friends 
and family in extending to him my best wishes in all of his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________