January 30, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E39 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING IRENE FERREIRA well done. I join his family, friends and col- based in New York. The firm’s government leagues in congratulating him on his retire- practice grew rapidly, generating $1 million in HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH ment. I wish him a well-deserved rest. fees during the first two years of the new affili- OF CALIFORNIA f ation. Contracts with the Departments of Labor IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Energy provided substantial revenue, es- IN HONOR OF WATSON RICE LLP pecially from reviews of oil company pricing Tuesday, January 30, 2001 ON THE OCCASION OF THE practices during the Mideast embargo of pe- Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise FIRM’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY troleum. today to honor Irene Ferreira, the current The growing New York practice generated State President of the Cabrillo Civic Clubs of HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY an impressive and diverse client roster, includ- California. The Cabrillo Civic Clubs of Cali- OF NEW YORK ing the New York City Health & Hospital Serv- fornia is comprised of fourteen nonprofit Por- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ices, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the tuguese-American civic clubs whose principles NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the NYC Depart- Tuesday, January 30, 2001 are Americanization, Civic Affairs and Scholar- ment of Aging, and eight McDonald’s fran- ship. Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, chises. Hadnott also served on the Mayor’s Fi- Irene was born in Merced and raised in this year marks the 30th anniversary of Wat- nancial Committee during the Dinkins Adminis- Fresno, California. As a child, Irene was fortu- son Rice LLP, an accounting and consulting tration of New York City. nate enough to learn the Portuguese language firm in the heart of my district that exemplifies In 1982, Watson Rice contracted with the and the Portuguese culture. the benefits of affirmative action. Today, Wat- Resolution Trust Corporation to help close Irene was an active member of the Fresno son Rice is one of the nation’s largest and old- Carteret Savings, one of New Jersey’s largest County Cabrillo Civic Club No. 10 for several est firms owned and managed by diverse part- banks. The firm opened offices in Rutherford, years. In 1989 and 1990 she served as the ners, with 125 professionals operating in four NJ, at first for the 60 members of its staff as- Fresno County Cabrillo Civic Club No. 10 states and the District of Columbia. signed to the program, and later to represent President. She has also served as the District Few would have predicted that back in prestigious regional operations, such as the Governor of District No. 6 for the organization. 1971, in downtown Cleveland, two fledgling Newark Public Schools, the Urban League, At the local level, she has served as Chair- accountants operating in one room, at a and statewide long term care facilities. Bennie person for many various functions. She also shared desk sitting face to face, with a single Hadnott, while still active in the firm, recently served as the State Civic Affairs Chairperson adding machine and one telephone line, would passed its leadership to a new and dynamic for seven years. develop a firm that now earns annual billings managing partner, Raymond P. Jones. The Irene has been married to her husband, approaching $9 million. emphasis at the firm continues to be training Frank, for 36 years. They have two children Tom Watson and Bob Rice, however, share and excellence, with Watson Rice at the cut- and three grandchildren. this American success story. Garnering their ting edge of establishing a paperless account- Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Irene Ferreira first fees from a dry cleaning establishment, a ing practice, a leader in its industry. Mr. for her leadership roles in the Cabrillo Civic grocery store, and a funeral home, they now Speaker, I salute Watson Rice LLP and I ask Clubs of California. I urge my colleagues to operate a formidable enterprise well known my fellow Members of Congress to join me in join me in wishing Irene Ferreira many more today as Watson Rice LLP. recognizing this firm’s 30th anniversary. years of continued success. The African-American founders of Watson f f Rice LLP found opportunity in the pro-active INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TRIBUTE TO JUDGE FRANK H. policies of President Carter’s administration ENTITLED, ‘‘REPEALING TAXES RIDDICK OF MADISON COUNTY, AL that welcomed the services of qualified firms staffed with multicultural professionals. Mr. ON FAMILY VALUES ACT OF Watson and Mr. Rice first and foremost 2001’’ HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR. reached out to the regional offices of estab- OF ALABAMA lished accounting firms to learn from experi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. SAM JOHNSON enced senior professionals. Mr. Rice recalls OF TEXAS Tuesday, January 30, 2001 that period for the exceptionally generous IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mentors at Big 8 firms like Deloitte Haskins. Tuesday, January 30, 2001 pay tribute to a man who has served Madison Watson Rice’s first sizable contract, from County for many years, Probate Judge Frank the U.S. Department of Labor, enabled the Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Riddick. I would like to recognize the out- firm to move to their own offices in downtown today I am joined by Representatives PHIL standing contributions of Judge Riddick to our Cleveland and to start adding staff. Business CRANE, PORTER GOSS, LEE TERRY, and Major- community and to the Twenty-Third Judicial from the U.S. Department of Commerce and ity Leader DICK ARMEY in the introduction of Circuit of Alabama. from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agen- legislation that will repeal certain hidden taxes Judge Riddick has made the Huntsville- cy followed, and then from several other imposed on our American families and values. Madison County Courthouse a better place Washington agencies. In the past two reports to Congress, our with his service to the families and the men- In 1976, Tom Watson met Ron Thompkins, country’s National Taxpayer Advocate has tally ill across the county. He has preserved a Florida-based professional partner in a firm urged us to eliminate hidden taxes in the Inter- important legal records for our county. His which developed a considerable practice spe- nal Revenue Code. The National Taxpayer commitment to justice and efficiency is unpar- cializing in health care services. This firm later Advocate, unlike any top official at the IRS or alleled. was merged into Watson Rice to mutually Treasury, reports his findings and rec- For his hard work, vision and dedication to strengthen operations in government, non- ommendations directly to Congress without re- the people of Madison County, I feel this is an profit and joint venture practices. The Miami view or revision within the agency or depart- apt honor. Over his long career both in the branch since has doubled its number of staff ment. In one of our greatest legislative courthouse and in the Alabama legislature, he professionals. achievements, the ‘‘IRS Restructuring and Re- has become a role model for his work ethic. The late 1970s also were a time when Tom form Act of 1998,’’ Congress strengthened the Now as he retires, I wish to thank Judge Watson first met Bennie Hadnott, a specialist National Taxpayer Advocate’s independence Riddick for his extraordinary service to his in quality control and training for government from the IRS in order to help address tax- community and this nation. audits. That meeting led to another merger, payers’ concerns. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay trib- with Hadnott fully blending into Watson Rice— The National Taxpayer Advocate can now ute to Judge Riddick and thank him for a job ultimately to become its Managing Partner recommend legislative changes to the tax ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate 11<MAY>2000 05:55 Jan 31, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30JA8.000 pfrm04 PsN: E30PT1 E40 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 30, 2001 code in cases where current law creates in- TRIBUTE TO MILTON W. HINTON, A At the outset, I would like to say that this equitable treatment or where change will al- GREAT LIVING CINCINNATIAN legislation is direly needed, given Guam’s leviate barriers to compliance. For the third struggling economy and 15 percent unemploy- year in a row, tax code complexity tops the list HON. ROB PORTMAN ment rate. Unlike the rest of the nation, which of taxpayer concerns. Accordingly, the Na- OF OHIO has experienced unprecedented economic tional Taxpayer Advocate has singled out two IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES growth and low unemployment rates the last hidden taxes in the Internal Revenue Code Tuesday, January 30, 2001 few years, Guam’s economy and tourism in- that should be repealed. dustry continues to recover from the Asian fi- Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to The first of these hidden taxes is the phase- nancial crisis, given our island’s close prox- recognize Milton W. Hinton, a community lead- imity to Asia. Guam is only three flying hours out of itemized deductions and personal ex- er who will be honored as a Great Living Cin- emptions. With regard to this hidden tax on from Japan. cinnatian by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber My legislation provides the Government of our American families and values, our coun- of Commerce on February 9, 2001.