[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2149-2150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               ACKNOWLEDGING THE SERVICE OF SHARON VIGIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an 
important leader in the business community of Colorado. Ms. Sharon 
Vigil, president and chief operating officer of the Denver Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce, will be leaving her post after 14 years of 
service.
  Established in 1978, the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has 
proven to be an outstanding member of the Colorado business community. 
Whether through influencing legislation, providing technical assistance 
to Hispanic businesses and professional associations, or strengthening 
the network of Colorado businesses as a whole, the Denver Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce has been an exceptionally effective organization.
  Sharon Vigil was born in Walsenburg and raised in Pueblo, later 
attending school in Boulder at the University of Colorado. As an active 
member of the civil rights movement during the 1970s, she developed an 
early reputation as a leading voice in support of equal opportunity for 
minorities and women in business. She has a long history of exceptional

[[Page 2150]]

and diversified management skills and is well-regarded for her 
experience in the fields of marketing and public relations. But above 
all, she is a motivated woman who uses both her mind and heart in 
working for the Hispanic community.
  In the early 1990s Ms. Vigil brought her considerable skills to the 
Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, becoming President and Chief 
Operating Officer in 1995. Under her guidance, membership grew to more 
than 1,300, elevating the Chamber's success and positioning the 
organization as the largest and most influential minority chamber in 
the state.
  I met Ms. Vigil early in my career as a legislator and was 
immediately impressed by the enthusiasm she brought to the job of 
promoting economic opportunities in the Hispanic community. One of my 
fondest recollections of her is the pride and joy she had in showing me 
the Hispanic Chamber's facility in Denver. She walked me through 
several floors of offices and made sure I met and spoke to all the 
vendors and officers.
  As a dedicated leader, Ms. Vigil has diligently worked to assist 
countless Hispanic business owners throughout Colorado and the Denver 
Metropolitan area. It is that admirable and distinguished service that 
motivates me to acknowledge this remarkable community leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Sharon 
Vigil and in wishing her success in all her future endeavors. It has 
been a true privilege to work with her.

                          ____________________