[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 76 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NATIONAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS ADVOCATE AWARD FOR 1998

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, it is my privilege to call to my 
colleagues' attention the recent announcement by the U.S. Small 
Business Administration that Ms. Bernadette Martinelli of Park City, 
Utah, has been named the National Women in Business Advocate for 1998. 
I am sure all senators will agree that she is well-deserving of this 
prestigious award.
  In November 1992, Ms. Martinelli founded the Park City Women's 
Business Network. As the owner of ``Blinds of Bern,'' she observed that 
a lack of educational and networking opportunities stifled the 
entrepreneurial potential for many women in the Park City area.
  Bernadette Martinelli decided to make a difference. In founding the 
Park City Womens' Business Network, she has brought women small 
business owners together to meet one another, to share ideas, and to 
learn techniques for improving productivity. The results have been 
nothing short of remarkable. These efforts have helped launch the 
creation and fuel the expansion of many women-owned businesses in Utah.
  Ms. Martinelli's organization also fulfills an important role in the 
community. Members volunteer their time speaking to high school 
students about entrepreneurial careers and providing indispensable 
mentoring programs for interested students. The Park City Womens' 
Business Network has also established an all-important ``Future 
Entrepreneur'' scholarship, awarded annually to a female high school 
graduate to help her to reach her goal of business ownership.
  Ms. Martinelli has accomplished all of this through great personal 
sacrifice and perserverance. In the past few years, she found the 
strength to build her business, establish the networking organization, 
and to care for her children and her husband who is battling cancer.
  Mr. President, I am proud of Bernadette Martinelli's achievements and 
grateful for her many contributions to the growth of small businesses 
in the state of Utah and to the opening of doors and possibilities for 
the next generation.
  I join with the U.S. Small Business Administration and small business 
leaders around the nation in congratulating Ms. Martinelli. I ask all 
Senators to join me in saluting her for this well-earned national 
honor.

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