[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 55 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E770-E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNITION OF RHODE ISLAND'S SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 1998

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Rhode Island 
branch of the Small Business Administration. Last year the Rhode Island 
District Office set a record for the number of loans they issued. 511 
different loans were issued totaling $101.7 million approved for Fiscal 
Year 1997.
  The Small Business Administration provides financial, technical and 
management assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their 
businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and 
disaster loans, the SBA is the nation's largest single financial backer 
of small businesses. The SBA offers management and technical assistance 
to small business owners as a compliment to the financial services it 
provides. The Small Business Administration is committed to providing 
financial support to entrepreneurs in order to continue the economic 
recovery and viability of

[[Page E771]]

Rhode Island. Access to capital and sound business advice are critical 
to growth and are often cited as a major factor in business success.
  The hundreds of thousands of small businesses across this country 
provide the majority of jobs to Americans. These loans have allowed 
entrepreneurs to start their own businesses, given small businessmen 
the capital needed to expand existing companies, and have created jobs 
for thousands of people in the State of Rhode Island alone. The 
additional investment in the future of small business will help keep 
the economy strong.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the Rhode 
Island branch of the Small Business Administration. Without the 
dedication and hard work of all those involved, business in America 
would not be what it is today.

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