[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO D.E. SUMPTER AND ASSOCIATES

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to D.E. Sumpter 
and Associates (DESA) for the contributions they have made to the 
landscape of the South Carolina business community. This month the 
company commemorated its 15th anniversary.
  DESA, Inc., an African American woman-owned business, has grown to 
150 employees from its humble beginnings in 1986. In addition to its 
headquarters in Columbia, SC, the company now has regional offices in 
Charleston, SC, Atlanta, GA, and Falls Church, VA. DESA specializes in 
development education for minority businesses, conference management, 
technical assistance, construction management, and hospital management.
  The State newspaper named DESA's founder, Diane Sumpter, one of the 
``People to Watch in Business in the Midlands in 2001.'' She 
contributes to her community through service on the Cultural Council of 
Richland and Lexington Counties. She has served on the boards of the 
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Columbia Chamber of 
Commerce. Ms. Sumpter is also a founding member of the Minority 
Contractors Association for the State of South Carolina. She is a Life 
Member of the NAACP, and has recently joined the Board of Directors of 
the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.
  DESA has worked with numerous small minority and women owned 
businesses through mentor protege programs. The company has been 
awarded SBA's 1990 Advocate of the Year, Midland Minority Supplier 
Development Council's 1991 Vendor of the Year, SBA's 1992 South 
Carolina Minority Business Person, and the YWCA Tribute to Women in 
Industry Award. Most recently, DESA received the 2000 BB&T Trailblazer 
Award.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to DESA and its 
proprietor, my good friend, Ms. Diane Sumpter for the contributions she 
and her company have made to our State and Nation.

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