[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S5577]]
             OHIOAN NAMED SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

 Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding entrepreneurial achievement of a resident from my home 
state of Ohio, Mr. Ross O. Youngs. The President of Univenture 
Incorporated, Ross was recently named as Small Business Person of the 
Year. The decision was made by Vice President Al Gore and Aida Alvarez, 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Mr. Youngs was 
selected from a highly competitive field of 53 small businesses 
representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 
Guam.
  Ross Youngs began Univenture 10 years ago with an idea, hard work, 
perseverance and a limited budget. In the long standing tradition of 
the American Entrepreneur, Ross took a $20,000 personal bank loan and 
started a company in his basement. Over the following nine years, two 
Small Business Administration guaranteed loans helped Mr. Youngs expand 
production. Sales have risen in 10 years from $111,000 to $15 million. 
Ross Youngs' company Univenture has proven itself to be an outstanding 
example of American small business.
  Univenture is not only a successful company but also a contributor to 
the community in a number of ways. The firm works with a local 
organization to employ people with disabilities, Univenture supports 
the Columbus Police Department's Shop-With-A-Cop Program to provide 
gifts for needy children during the holiday season and contributes to 
the Wexner Center for the Arts.
  Mr. Youngs continues to be an example of outstanding achievement in 
business and his community. It is with great pride that I recognize Mr. 
Ross Youngs as the National Small Business Person of the Year during 
National Small Business Week. I extend my congratulations and wish him 
continued success.

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