[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE HOUSTON MINORITY BUSINESS COUNCIL'S EXPO 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the Houston 
Minority Business Council's EXPO 2002. EXPO 2002, Texas' largest 
minority business development trade fair, assists major corporations, 
government agencies and educational institutions in identifying proven 
minority suppliers capable of satisfying product and service needs. 
This year's business forum will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 
2002, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Dr. John Mendelsohn, 
president of the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will 
serve as this year's General Chair.
  For many years, major corporations have used EXPO as a tool to 
disseminate information on how to do business with their companies. 
Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) utilize EXPO as an easy and cost-
effective means of accessing key purchasing personnel and 
decisionmakers at major corporations. EXPO allows MBEs to gain valuable 
insights into both the local and national strategies of major 
corporations. Nearly 1,000 minority-owned businesses and more than 200 
corporations and government agencies are expected to attend. EXPO 
prides itself in its ability to spur the development of minority 
businesses by bringing together minority businesses and corporate 
executives. Last year, as a result of contacts established at EXPO, 
MBEs made an average of 23 sales calls from which 44 percent reported 
immediate results. On average, at least two-thirds of the participants 
reported the establishment of new business relationships that totaled 
as high as $2 million within 8 months of the event.
  Mr. Speaker, the Houston Minority Business Council serves the 
important function of incorporating minority businesses in local and 
national commerce. Regardless of the size of the company, EXPO has 
something to offer a minority business owner, major corporation, 
government agency, educational or financial institution, or business 
resource organization. I applaud the efforts of the Houston Minority 
Business Council and look forward to another successful event.

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