[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF FONA'S WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. RANDY HULTGREN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, It's not every day that long-term 
sustained excellence can be duly recognized.
  FONA International of Geneva, Illinois, provides just such an 
opportunity, however. I am privileged to extend my enthusiastic 
congratulations to Joe Slawek and the employees of FONA International 
for being named a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For by the 
National Association of Business Resources-for the seventh year in a 
row.
  FONA International creates and produces flavors for many of the 
largest food, beverage, and nutritional companies in the world. It has 
been doing this for 30 years--a testament to its sustained excellence 
and commitment to serving customers through cutting-edge technology and 
personal attention.
  CEO and Founder Joe Slawek calls this the ``high-tech, high touch'' 
approach. He founded FONA International in 1987 on these principles. He 
built a business that could compete with the largest flavor companies 
but stay connected with customers and his family of employees in a way 
that only a small business can. The honor of this award speaks to that 
success.
  FONA International has been cited by Fortune magazine as one of the 
top fifty best places to work for medium-sized businesses nationwide. 
Fortune also named FONA International as the Number 1 workplace in 
Chicagoland.
  To be selected just once as a National Best & Brightest Company would 
be a distinguished honor. To receive this award seven years in a row is 
nothing less than a spectacular achievement.
  I congratulate Joe Slawek and the employees of FONA International for 
this remarkable recognition. I thank FONA International for its years 
of service to the local community and for its leadership in the flavor 
production industry. I wish them continued success in the future.

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