[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S5883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S PERSON OF THE YEAR: MR. GREGORY 
                                SULLIVAN

 Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I 
stand before this body today to congratulate a truly remarkable 
Missourian, Mr. Gregory Sullivan--the Small Business Administration's 
Person of the Year. Mr. Sullivan founded G.A. Sullivan in 1982 with 
just $300 in start-up capital. Today, it is one of the fastest growing 
technology companies in the nation. This custom software company has 
appeared on Inc. Magazine's 500 list of fastest growing companies for 
the past two years. G.A. Sullivan also is leader in the St. Louis 
community--ranking among the top seven fastest growing technology 
companies in St. Louis for the past three consecutive years.
  In reading Greg's story, I was intrigued by his biggest challenge. To 
me it shows the remarkable risks taken by America's entrepreneurs. Ten 
years after starting the company--after paying his dues programming 
computers and building the foundation of the business--he knew that 
there would be a huge growth in information technology industry. At 
that point, he had to decide on his business' future. In December 1992, 
he decided to go forward with an aggressive business expansion program. 
He engaged an advertising agency, developed a business plan, designed a 
logo, hired a marketing consultant to build a sales staff and started 
aggressively recruiting technical talent. Since that time, sales have 
grown over 1,400 percent and he now employs nearly 175 people--his 
clear vision paid off.
  While Greg's custom software development services company provides 
leading edge information technology in the business arena--he 
personally is a leader in the community. He was recently appointed Vice 
Chairman of Science and Technology for the St. Louis Regional Commerce 
and Growth Association. I understand that he personally conducts 
workshops on resume writing skills, interviewing and networking to help 
students be competitive in the after-graduation job market. He also has 
established the G.A. Sullivan Scholarship fund.
  Mr. Sullivan is the 36th recipient of this annual entrepreneurial 
award. He was selected from a field of 53 state small business persons 
of the year winners representing the 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The national entrepreneur award is the 
highlight of the Small Business Administration's national Small 
Business Week celebration. Small Business Week honors contributions of 
the nation's small business owners who are the backbone of this great 
nation. The SBA selects winners on their record of stability, growth in 
employment and sales, sound financial status, innovation, and the 
company's response to adversity and community service.
  It honors me to stand before you today to congratulate Mr. Sullivan 
as the Small Business Administration's Person of the Year. Mr. Sullivan 
exemplifies the ``American Dream,'' and is living proof that with hard 
work and dedication any one individual can succeed.

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