[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN TRIBUTE TO CLAIRE HOPE, SBA VETERAN ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Claire Hope, who 
has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the 
2000 Veteran Advocate of the Year.
  Claire Hope is the founder and president of Claire Hope Enterprises 
in Camarillo, California, in my district. She has more than 30 years 
experience in human resources management, and has offered that 
experience pro-bono to many veterans. Since 1992, she has served on the 
California Employer Advisory Council Veteran Committee. She specializes 
in assisting veterans to become small business owners.
  Claire Hope is also President and Founder of the Industry Education 
Council of Eastern Ventura County, implementing strategic plans that 
included the employment of veterans. Other avenues she has used to 
promote employment of veterans and small business ownership by veterans 
include: Regional Vice President of the California Employer Advisory 
for six years, Committee Member of the Conejo Valley Chamber of 
Commerce Education Committee, and Task Force Member for Workforce 
Development for the Conejo Valley Community Foundation.
  Claire also served as President of the Simi/Conejo Valley Employer 
Advisory Council (SCVEAC). In 1997, SCVEAC was chosen as the 
outstanding EAC in the State of California and outstanding EAC in the 
United States for encouraging veteran business ownership.
  Claire Hope is a very capable and dedicated advocate for veterans and 
is very deserving of this honor.
  I have the pleasure of working with Claire on Ventura County Stand 
Down 2000, which she founded and chairs and for which I serve as 
honorary co-chairman. A Stand Down is where homeless veterans gain rest 
for a weekend from the daily battle for survival, by sleeping in 
comfortable tents and taking advantage of services that could lead to 
jobs and housing.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
Claire Hope for her recognition as the U.S. Small Business 
Administration Veteran Advocate of the Year and in thanking her for all 
her hard work and dedication on behalf of our veterans.

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