[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF RANDALL C. FERGUSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of 
the achievements of Mr. Randall C. Ferguson, Jr., an important resident 
of the Fifth District of Missouri, which I am honored to represent. 
This week, Mr. Ferguson is to be inducted into the Missouri Walk of 
Fame during a reception as part of the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, an event held to honor the 
achievements of African-Americans who have made significant 
contributions to Missouri. Randall is a retired executive from the IBM 
Corporation. He spent 29 years with IBM in various sales, management, 
and executive positions. His last position at IBM was senior location 
executive for the Kansas City region and senior state executive for 
Kansas and Missouri with responsibility for programs and policy 
implementation essential to IBM's interests, reputation and involvement 
relating to both the internal IBM community of 900 employees, and to 
the outside community. His responsibilities also included government 
relations, community relations, and all IBM philanthropic grants.
  After IBM, he was recruited to be the senior vice president for 
business growth and member connections for the Greater Kansas City 
Chamber of Commerce. His responsibilities included membership, 
technology, small business activities, aviation, minority business 
alliances, the economic advisory board, and the world trade center.
  Randall holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration 
with honors from Walton School of Business, University of Arkansas. 
Throughout his life, Mr. Ferguson has exercised a tireless belief in 
the principle of putting ``others'' before ``self.'' He has put his 
principles to practice, and the effects of his efforts can be felt 
throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Recognizing his business 
acumen, Great Planes Energy, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Shelter 
Insurance voted him on to their corporate boards.
  Civically, Randall serves on 12 boards in the greater Kansas City 
area with varied interests such as energy, healthcare, education, 
economic development and technology, employment, and diversity in such 
areas as race, sex, and religion. In all of his activities, he 
demonstrates his dedication and commitment to the greater good of 
others. His high energy pace translates directly to the results he is 
able to obtain for the benefit of all in the greater Kansas City area. 
Regardless of whether he is in the trenches or the boardroom, his poise 
and thoughtfulness is ever present. For those reasons and more, it is 
indeed an honor and a privilege to recognize Randall Ferguson, Jr. at 
the Missouri Walk of Fame reception, hosted by myself and fellow 
Missourian, U.S. Representative Wm. Lacy Clay of St. Louis.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing our appreciation to Mr. 
Randall Ferguson, Jr. and his endless commitment to serving the 
residents of the State of Missouri. He is a true role model not just to 
the African-American community in Missouri, but to the entire African-
American community-at-large. May his success serve as a stepping-stone 
for many other African-Americans eager to be just as successful in 
their endeavors. While it is but a small acknowledgement for all of the 
work he has done, it is a heartfelt gesture to a heartfelt friend, 
taking strength from the lives he has touched in our hometown.

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