- Richard Perez, President and CEO, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
Following is a statement that the Chamber issued in response to comments by Councilmembers regarding the RK Group and the unfortunate children being housed in the tent city in Tornillo:
“In Tuesday’s San Antonio Express News, Brian Chasnoff wrote a column regarding Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales pressuring the RK Group to give away any profits earned feeding migrant children at a tent city in Tornillo. The column also quotes Councilman Manny Pelaez in saying, ‘Many people will see RK's participation in that program as enabling one of the most immoral things any of us have ever witnessed the federal government do to a vulnerable population.’ As President and CEO of the San Antonio Chamber, I am compelled to stand beside the RK Group and its 70 years of directly contributing to our city's economic development. The long history of success and goodwill demonstrated by the company and the Kowalski Family must not be lost to a clear misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the current situation.
The RK Group helped put San Antonio on the global map during the 1968 World's Fair. Rosemary Kowalski is one of the few women inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, and she has a long track record of supporting many not-for-profit organizations philanthropically. Moreover, Rosemary Kowalski is an individual known, loved, and admired by many of us for her authentic sincerity and good heartedness.
We cannot confuse the role of the RK Group as a business enterprise and a federal policy that prompted the separation of migrant parents and children. The RK Group's Emergency Management Support (RKEMS) is second to none in mobilizing field kitchens and mobile support services. They are uniquely equipped to serve ‘virtually any mission or headcount.’ RKEMS has provided meals and support for natural disaster recovery and communities in need, most recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They are the best of the best. They did not create, enable or contribute to the reason the tent city in Tornillo exists.
The big-picture to see here is that the RK Group is providing a basic necessity to children in need. We should take notice that one of our own, a company we know and trust, is not focused on the politics, because they are focused on ensuring the children in the facilities do not go hungry.
We thank the RK Group and Rosemary Kowalski for all you do to serve our community and beyond.”