1999CRE2130 HONORING WILLIE AND VERONICA ARTIS
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[Congressional Record: October 19, 1999 (Extensions)]
[Page E2130]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr19oc99-8]
HONORING WILLIE AND VERONICA ARTIS
______
HON. DALE E. KILDEE
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 19, 1999
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am very honored to rise before you today
to acknowledge the achievements and contributions to the Flint,
Michigan community of a wonderful couple who have cultivated a
successful business partnership, as well as a life partnership. On
Tuesday, October 19, members of the Charles Stewart Mott Community
College Foundation will gather and, in the spirit of Minority Business
Month, will honor Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Veronica Artis of Genesee
Packaging, Inc.
It was in 1979 that Willie Artis and Buel Jones founded Genesee
Packaging. Using an opportunity granted from minority business programs
sponsored by General Motors, Artis and Jones ventured into business
together and reached over one million dollars in revenue within the
first year. In the 1980's, once again due to the benefit of General
Motors, the company expanded with Genesee Corrugated, Inc. Now, instead
of creating the packaging, they were manufacturing the materials to
create the packaging as well.
Following the retirement of Buel Jones, Willie Artis began overseeing
daily operations of the companies. The companies, which eventually
merged, served to be profitable, not only to its owners, but to the
community as well. Currently, Genesee Packaging employs nearly 300
people in three plants throughout the Flint area. The company
constantly serves as one the city's strongest economic resources.
As Willie Artis can claim to over 28 years of experience in the
packaging field, his wife, Veronica can claim an equal amount of
experience in the business administration field. After obtaining an
education from such schools as the University of Wisconsin, Dartmouth,
and Harvard, Veronica began a noted work history with Ameritech,
holding positions including District Training Coordinator, Personnel
Manger, Marketing Manager, and Purchasing Manager. Veronica joined
Genesee Packaging in 1989 as Vice President of Administration, and
currently sits on the company's Executive Staff.
Mr. Speaker, not only will the Mott College Foundation celebrate the
contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Artis, but, to further establish the
impact they make on Flint residents, the evening will also mark the
creation of a scholarship in their name. I am pleased to be witness to
all they have done on a corporate level, and what they have done in
serving as positive role models for young people. I ask my colleagues
in the 106th Congress to join me in congratulating Willie and Veronica
Artis. Together they have made our community a better place.
____________________