[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 1997

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2261, the 
Small Business Programs authorization. H.R. 2261 incorporates the 
provisions of H.R. 2429 which reauthorizes the Small Business 
Technology Transfer Program as reported by the Science Committee.
  First, I want to say it has been a pleasure working with the Small 
Business Committee in this legislation.
  During the Technology Subcommittee's hearing on the STTR program we 
heard strong bipartisan support for this small business, university, 
government partnership.
  This program has been very successful at linking the research 
capabilities of universities and national laboratories, with the 
business sense and drive of our Nation's small business community.
  A number of amendments have been drafted to the original legislation 
and I would like to call the attention of my colleagues to one 
amendment in particular.
  From reviewing the STTR awards made during the past 3 years, I became 
concerned that the majority of awards are made to only a few States.
  Therefore, I suggested a provision that would require SBA to develop 
an outreach program to under represented States. Under represented 
States are defined as those which receive less than 20 awards during 
the prior 2 year period. During fiscal years 1995-96 only 8 states 
received more than 20 awards.
  During the Technology Subcommittee's hearing it seemed clear that 
other States have fully qualified small businesses, universities, and 
nonprofit labs to enable them to compete successfully in the STTR 
program. However, in many States the program is not well-known nor does 
the business community know how to apply to the program. The goal of 
these provisions are to expand participation in the STTR program.
  I want to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Brown of 
the Science Committee and Chairman Talent and Ranking Member LaFalce 
for including these specific provisions in H.R. 2261.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2261.

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