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“TRIBUTE TO ALVIN ROHRS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S6536 on Sept. 20, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO ALVIN ROHRS
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I am on the Senate floor today to honor Alvin Rohrs for his 30 years of leadership and dedication to SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise. SIFE brings together today's business leaders and thinkers with enterprising college students on every continent who develop small businesses to solve local problems and create wealth and hope where there was little of either. SIFE is a hands-on business leadership opportunity, and Rohrs directs this unique business gospel toward those who want to live a financially, personally, and environmentally sustainable life.
While Rohrs has carried the title of president and CEO of SIFE, he has also been known as the enabler, chief cheerleader, and director of SIFE over these many years. Alvin Rohrs is an educator, motivator, guidance counselor, spiritual leader and the wizard behind the curtain at SIFE, working with other captains of business and industry to bring new opportunities to campuses around the globe. The list of American and international corporate titans that have brought their energy, insight and resources to SIFE is extraordinary. Even the United States State Department recognizes the value of SIFE in developing ``more effective, socially responsible business leaders.''
SIFE has been a key sponsor of sustainable business practices on every continent for three decades. SIFE educates students about the virtues of the risk-reward system known as free enterprise. SIFE applies free enterprise principles to lift people out of poverty and give them new opportunities for personal enrichment and service to their neighborhoods and communities. Among many examples, SIFE teams have shown poor single mothers how to start their own small businesses that boost their incomes and provide for their families. Farmers and small business people are given instruction about turning their ideas into companies that solve problems and provide jobs in disadvantaged neighborhoods. It is the free market system at its best. It is SIFE. It is Alvin Rohrs.
Rohrs heads a staff of more than 60 professionals at the headquarters in my hometown of Springfield, MO. Dozens of staffers help with SIFE's efforts to spread the positive word about business development and how it can influence initiatives through which scores of students develop projects to lift others out of despair. More than 1,600 teams on college campuses--more than 57,000 students--are active in 39 counties, including China and Russia, demonstrating the power of local business to solve local problems and create wealth. SIFE is a powerful force for enlightenment and good works.
Rohrs has led SIFE's development into a megaphone for the positive power of business in the world community. This year he reaches a milestone--30 years at the helm. He has earned many awards and accolades for his works in the charity community and in the business world. He has an unwavering belief in the work of SIFE and the message it carries into energizing entrepreneurs and creating new wealth.
I congratulate Alvin Rohrs and SIFE on their growth, accomplishments and good work providing the world community with personal understanding of free enterprise and the rewards it offers to people in all walks of life and all economic ranks. My hope is that SIFE and Alvin Rohrs continue this critical work for many years to come.
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