[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE AWARD WINNING ACHIEVEMENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL 
                                FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 1997

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, access to credit, technical help, 
and training are the keys to unleashing the economic potential of all 
Americans, particularly for the poor in our cities and distressed rural 
areas. In recognition of its outstanding community-based leadership 
with microenterprise projects, Working Capital was recently awarded the 
Presidential Award for Innovation in Microcredit in a ceremony at the 
Oval Office on January 31, 1997.
  In Dade County, Working Capital Florida is leading the way to 
economic empowerment by providing business loans, peer support, 
training, networking and technical assistance to persons with low to 
moderate income. Working Capital Florida is one of seven hubs of the 
Working Capital Corp. which was founded in 1990 in Athol, MA, by 
Jeffrey Ashe to foster self-reliance and enhance the quality of life 
for persons with limited access to resources. This is accomplished 
through a network of community-based organizations.
  Working Capital Florida serves Dade's African-American, Hispanic, and 
Haitian communities in neighborhoods including Allapattah, Carol City, 
Coconut Grove, Florida City, Goulds, Homestead, Kendall, Little Haiti, 
Little Havana, Naranja, North Miami, Opa-Locka, Overtown, Perrine, 
Princeton, Richmond Heights, and South Miami Heights.
  Within the next 5 years, Working Capital Florida has the potential to 
create 5,000 new businesses among low-income residents. Since its 
inception, 311 loans ranging in size from $500 to $5,000 and totaling 
$210,500 have been disbursed to start-up businesses throughout Dade 
County. Working Capital Florida helps low- and moderate-income citizens 
of Dade County to enter the economic mainstream. As they prosper, we 
reduce the social costs of poverty in Florida and the Nation while 
increasing national productivity. Not only are these efforts beneficial 
to the poor, but they clearly improve our community and benefit all 
Americans.
  The individuals who are assisted by Working Capital Florida through 
micro-loans, peer-support, networking, and training can stand proudly 
to proclaim ``I have a dream * * * and I'm beginning to live it!'' I 
know my colleagues join me and the entire Dade County community in 
applauding their success. Congratulations Working Capital Florida on a 
job well done.

                          ____________________