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“LOPEZ FOODS, INC.--MBE MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1945 on Sept. 23, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
LOPEZ FOODS, INC.--MBE MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
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HON. ED PASTOR
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 23, 1999
Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John Lopez, an Arizona native and Hispanic-American leader. Recently, Mr. Lopez' company, Lopez Foods, Inc., was named the 1999 National Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
After beginning his career as an owner-operator of several McDonald's restaurants, seven years ago, Mr. Lopez sold them and obtained controlling interest of the company that now bears his name: Lopez Foods, Inc. As one of the select few beef and pork suppliers for McDonald's restaurants, this Oklahoma City company plays a vital role in the success of more than 25,000 McDonald's restaurants.
As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lopez Foods, Mr. Lopez has guided his company to great success. Under Mr. Lopez' leadership, this firm has steadily expanded their workforce diversity program. As a result, currently, nearly 55 percent of Lopez Foods employees are minorities. Because of his efforts, first as a McDonald's owner-
operator, and now as the head of Lopez Foods, Mr. Lopez was selected by the National Hispanic Employee's Association as its 1997 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lopez has worked tirelessly to promote economic progress for minorities well beyond his own firm. He is a member of several influential boards, including: the McDonald's Supplier Diversity Council, the Oklahoma City Latino Community Development Agency, the National Advisory Board of the Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council.
I applaud the Commerce Department for recognizing the outstanding efforts of Mr. John Lopez, and for designating Lopez Foods, Inc. as its 1999 National Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year. In closing, I commend this gentleman for all of his admirable accomplishments and societal contributions.
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