[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JOHN HAMILTON, FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR, 
                 VICE PRESIDENT, BAY STATE SAVINGS BANK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Mr. John 
Hamilton, Vice President of the Bay State Savings Bank in my hometown 
of Worcester, MA. On May 20, 1999, he will be honored by the Small 
Business Administration as the Financial Services Advocate of the Year.
  As a leader, Mr. Hamilton plays a significant role in the bank's 
strategic planning by supervising commercial, residential and consumer 
lending. He personifies the ``ideal'' small business advocate, 
combining extraordinary technical and underwriting skills with a high 
level of creative thinking in accessing funding programs. This results 
in successful small business lending, particularly to the minority-
owned businesses in the Worcester Community and the Central 
Massachusetts Region.
  His multi-million dollar portfolio of loans to small businesses 
reflects his efforts and advocacy on behalf of small business 
throughout many of the communities which I represent. Mr. Hamilton is 
active in Centro Las Americas, Worcester's leading Latino Community 
Based organization, the Worcester Minority Business Council, the 
Worcester Banking Council Loan Committee, and the Worcester Chamber of 
Commerce.
  Thus Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Hamilton and his 
efforts to lend a helping hand and for his contributions to the 
economic well-being of the community.

                          ____________________