[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE WORK OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S COLORADO 
                            DISTRICT OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
say thank you to the men and women of the Small Business 
Administration's Colorado District office for all that they do to help 
small business owners live the American Dream.
  In July of 1953, Congress passed the Small Business Act, which 
created the Small Business Association. Their function was to ``aid 
counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of 
small business concerns.'' In 1964 the SBA created the Equal 
Opportunity Loan Program to aid poverty. SBA's programs now include 
financial and federal contract assistance, management assistance, and 
specialized outreach to women, minorities, and armed forces veterans.
  Over the past ten years, the SBA has helped almost 435,000 small 
businesses nationwide get more than $94.6 billion in loans. In Colorado 
alone, they have assisted nearly 17,000 customers in 2000 and 
contributed to the economy by helping to create and retain over 9,000 
jobs. They contributed more than $319.8 million in loan guarantees, and 
almost $4.13 billion in government contracts.
  In 2000, the Mi Casa Women's Resource Center expanded into Colorado 
Springs to assist women interested in starting their own business. This 
is an outstanding example of the type of ventures that SBA supports in 
Colorado and throughout the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, small business in Colorado would not be as it is today 
if it were not for the Small Business Administration's dedication and 
help that they offer for people to live the American dream. For that, 
my friends at the SBA deserve hearty thanks and congratulations.

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