[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       A TRIBUTE TO JOHN L. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 5, 1998

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear 
friend, Mr. John L. Smith of Chicago, IL, who will be retiring next 
month from the U.S. Small Business Administration. He has honorably 
served as director of the SBA's Chicago District Office of over 20 
years.
  Jack has been a faithful Federal employee for 46 years beginning in 
the U.S. Navy and then establishing his career in the Department of 
Commerce's Economic Development Administration. In 1973, Jack was named 
Regional Administrator for the Commerce Department's Office of Minority 
Business Enterprise. The SBA noticed his extraordinary accomplishments 
as Commerce Regional Administrator and after just 2 years, Jack was 
appointed SBA Chicago District Director. He has been a major supporter 
of private sector development through his dedicated service. During his 
tenure, Jack oversaw several billion dollars in loans and Federal 
contracts to Illinois small businesses.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, I am a member of the House Small Business 
Committee which oversees the SBA, and the retirement of one of the best 
directors from Illinois will certainly be a loss to the Chicago 
business community and to the state. Jack's experience and enthusiasm 
for his work will be missed greatly by business owners and public 
officials involved in private sector development. I wish him the best 
in his future endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, jack dedicated his life to the community and to the SBA. 
Now it is our turn to thank Jack for all of the energy and dedication 
he expended for so many years to make Illinois a better place.

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