[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23854-23855]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MANATEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2007

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Manatee 
County Chamber of Commerce for winning the American Chamber of Commerce 
Executive's, ACCE, 2007 Chamber of the Year Award, the nation's only 
award recognizing the expanding role chambers play in strengthening 
area businesses and their community.
  By winning this award, the Manatee chamber has demonstrated its 
organizational strength and success in community leadership by being 
the best in the nation in its category for financial and membership 
growth as well as making a significant impact on important community 
issues, including economic development, education, transportation, 
healthcare, and cultural activities.
  The Manatee chamber was also named the 2007 Florida Chamber of the 
Year by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals for the third 
time--making it the only chamber to have won this prestigious award 
more than twice.
  These awards are a tribute to the knowledge, leadership skills, and 
management effectiveness of chamber President Bob Bartz and to the 
quality of the work done by the organization's staff and the spirit and 
involvement of its volunteers, including the chamber's officers and 
Board of Directors.
  I congratulate the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and its members for 
these impressive awards. I recognize their many accomplishments, and I 
appreciate their successful efforts to help businesses succeed and 
enhance the lives of Manatee County residents.

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