[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26852]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RICHARD J. McCANN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER J. ROSKAM

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2007

  Mr. ROSKAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Richard 
``Dick'' McCann for receiving the Distinguished Citizens Award from the 
Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
  Dick first began his journey as a Cub Scout, where he quickly learned 
to love the adventure of the outdoors. A few years later, as a Boy 
Scout, Dick had the opportunity to attend the three-week-long National 
Jamboree in Anaheim, California. Through his experiences as a Boy 
Scout, Dick developed the perseverance that has helped him achieve so 
much as a business and community leader in later life.
  Dick's strong moral grounding and commitment to hard work were 
instrumental as he set out to begin his career. With $1,500 borrowed 
from family, friends and neighbors, Dick started a construction company 
in a 1-car garage in Villa Park.
  Under his visionary leadership, McCann Construction Specialties 
Company soon grew into McCann Industries, directly employing more than 
150 individuals in my congressional district. Their economic activity 
indirectly supports the jobs of countless others. Dick McCann and 
McCann Industries are a prime example of the hard work and productivity 
that sets American businesses apart in the global marketplace.
  As Dick's experience and industry expertise became apparent, he was 
tapped by his peers to serve as a board member of the Underground 
Contractors Association and the Concrete Contractors Association of 
Greater Chicago, as well as President of the Associated Construction 
Distributors International and President of the Illinois Equipment 
Distributors.
  Although Dick retired from McCann Industries several years ago, he 
has left an indelible mark on both the company and the construction 
industry at large, working to build a corporate culture of integrity 
that reflects his many years of involvement with the Boy Scouts. McCann 
Industries continues to set the standard for construction businesses.
  In addition to his professional accolades, Dick serves an executive 
board member and sits on the facilities committee of the Three Fires 
Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has devoted countless hours to 
planning the Council's new Cub Scout Adventure Camp and I am confident 
that this endeavor, like everything Dick has set his mind to, will be a 
tremendous success.
  Madam Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, Dick McCann, a remarkable 
individual, is being deservedly honored with the Distinguished Citizens 
Award. Please join me in honoring this outstanding achievement.

                          ____________________