[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E 2235]]


   RETIREMENT OF THE GENTLELADY FROM KANSAS, THE HONORABLE JAN MEYERS

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN J. LaFALCE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 1995

  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere regret that I learned 
today that the gentlelady from Kansas, Jan Meyers, would not seek 
reelection to the 105th Congress next year.
  I have served with Mrs. Meyers on the Small Business Committee since 
her election to the Congress in 1985. In the current Congress, she 
serves as Chair of the committee and I am the ranking Democratic 
member. This is a role reversal from the last Congress, and one which I 
certainly wish had not occurred. But if it had to occur, then I am 
pleased that the chairmanship passed to Mrs. Meyers.
  During the time that I have served with her, we have had our 
philosophical differences, but she always personified the term 
``gentlelady.''
  For the most part, however, we approached the needs of the small 
business community on a bipartisan basis. The 103d Congress, 1993-94, 
is an example of what can be done legislatively to assist small 
business.
  It was in this Congress that we finalized the legislation to convene 
a White House Conference on Small Business. This most important 
conclave of individual small business owners prioritized their needs 
and provided us with a blueprint for action which will see us into the 
next century.
  It was also last year, that with her strong support, we were able to 
enact a major Small Business Administration reauthorization act. This 
bill, enacted as Public Law 103-403, contained many provisions of vital 
importance to various segments of the small business community. There 
are, however, two provisions of particular note.
  The first is recognition that Federal spending can be reduced without 
necessarily reducing assistance to small business. The bill 
demonstrated this by mandating the delegation of additional decisional 
responsibility to financial intermediaries who deliver assistance 
through the certified development company loan program.
  The second is reemphasis of the role of small businesses owned by 
women by establishment of an Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
Enterprise. This committee, consisting of high-level Government 
officials, will coordinate Federal programs to assist the establishment 
and growth of women's business enterprises, and work with the private 
sector National Women's Business Council.
  Congressional elections last November sent many new Members to the 
Congress and has resulted in many different policies being presented 
for consideration. Some of these ideas have merit and deserve to be 
pursued; others are of questionable value; and still yet others, I 
strongly oppose. But, under our system of government, we must consider 
all of them, a requirement which presents a herculean task to those who 
chair our committees.
  Mrs. Meyers has faced this task and performed it with distinction as 
the Chair of the House Small Business Committee. I am pleased that we 
still consider small business needs on a bipartisan basis.
  Among our major accomplishments this year is legislation to 
strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act which we enacted some 15 
years ago. This law requires Federal departments and agencies to 
consider, and minimize, if possible, any adverse small business impact 
from proposed regulations. As a result of this year's amendment, 
however, agencies which ignore small business impact can be brought 
before the courts which are authorized to enforce this protection.
  Possibly the most important item of note is what did not happen--the 
Small Business Administration [SBA] was not eliminated.
  Some new Members of Congress, and even some with experience, do not 
fully appreciate the ultimate results of the benefits which SBA 
provides to assist small businesses. In addition, these programs 
enhance competition, provide employment, and contribute substantial tax 
income to all levels of government.
  At the start of this Congress, I was very apprehensive that this lack 
of understanding might cause a clamor for the elimination of SBA in 
order to achieve a minimal amount of budget savings. There has been no 
such cry, however, and I believe that this has been largely due to the 
effort of Chairman Meyers to educate the new Members. She certainly 
deserves our thanks and support for this very important effort.
  I am very sorry that Mrs. Meyers has announced her departure. She 
will be greatly missed, particularly by the small business community. I 
am well aware of the time demands placed upon Members and I too regret 
the things which I simply cannot do. Thus I sympathize with her 
decision.
  On behalf of her colleagues on the Small Business Committee, I wish 
her well.

                          ____________________