[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING JAMES W. PYLES ON HIS ELECTION AS CHAIRMAN OF SCORE

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                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to 
Mr. James W. Pyles of Elkhart, Indiana, for his recent election as 
board chairman of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). Mr. 
Pyles is the first African-American to lead this national nonprofit 
organization in its 40-year history, and I know he will lead SCORE well 
in its efforts to train and counsel small business owners and 
entrepreneurs.
  Mr. Pyles is an energetic and passionate man who believes strongly in 
the mission of SCORE. His 34-year experience in the sales and marketing 
departments at Bayer Corporation, in addition to his experience as a 
manager of a real estate management firm, will serve him well in his 
new capacity as board chairman.
  SCORE, which is funded by Congress, celebrates its 40th anniversary 
this year. During its existence, SCORE has assisted more than 6.7 
million Americans with online and face-to-face small business 
counseling. There are 800 offices nationwide with more than 12,500 
volunteer counselors who provide individual counseling and business 
workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
  Small businesses are critical to this nation's economy, having 
generated 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs annually over the past 
decade. Small businesses also employ 50 percent of the country's 
private workforce and represent more than 97 percent of all exporters 
of goods.
  I commend SCORE for its efforts to strengthen and assist small 
businesses across the country, and I urge more people to use SCORE 
services or get involved as a volunteer counselor.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to include a copy of the press announcement 
regarding Mr. Pyles' election to the chairmanship of SCORE in today's 
Congressional Record. And, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Mr. Pyles on his recent election. We wish him the best 
in his 2-year service as SCORE board chairman.

              James W. Pyles Elected Board Chair of SCORE


      First African-American to Lead SCORE in its 40-Year History

       Washington, DC.--SCORE announces the election of James W. 
     Pyles of Elkhart, Ind., as the board chair for this national 
     nonprofit organization dedicated to small business counseling 
     and training. He is the first African-American to lead the 
     Service Corps of Retired Executives in its 40-year history,
       SCORE, which is funded by Congress, provides free business 
     counseling as well as workshops and seminars to more than 
     350,000 aspiring and existing small business owners. SCORE 
     has a national network of 10,500 volunteers, each with 
     business management and small business experience. Pyles will 
     lead SCORE's efforts to increase the number of entrepreneurs 
     it serves, improve quality and recruit new volunteers to 
     SCORE.
       Pyles spent 34 years in sales and marketing positions with 
     the Bayer Corporation, his last position as manager of 
     consumer promotion. Prior to retirement, he became an 
     entrepreneur by opening his own real estate management firm. 
     He previously served for three years on the Board of 
     Directors for the Promotion Marketing Association of America.
       Pyles joined SCORE in 1996. He has been an active leader in 
     his local SCORE chapter and served on national quality and 
     marketing committees and the SCORE Association Board of 
     Directors for the past three years, as Chair of the SCORE 
     Board Nominating Committee and most recently as board vice 
     chair.
       Jim Pyles says, ``SCORE will forge ahead on a course to 
     pursue maximum client satisfaction and increase the number of 
     entrepreneurs we serve. I believe in the American dream of 
     owning a small business and SCORE helps small business owners 
     successfully pursue their dreams.''
       According to SCORE CEO Ken Yancey, ``Jim has a depth of 
     business knowledge and experience. His service on the SCORE 
     Board of Directors is a tremendous asset. He will expand 
     SCORE's service to entrepreneurs and he will help SCORE 
     recruit new volunteers to join SCORE's mission of aiding 
     entrepreneurs through small business training and mentoring 
     in the United States.''
       Pyles' accomplished business career is rivaled by his 
     commitment to community service. His current involvements 
     include leadership service for the following organizations: 
     The Samaritan Center, Goshen College Community Advisory 
     Group, and the Elkhart SCORE Chapter. Pyles is a life member 
     of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
     People and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Pyles, a graduate 
     of Crispus Attucks High School, earned his undergraduate 
     degree at the Butler University College of Pharmacy and his 
     MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University.
       Since 1964, the SCORE Association has assisted more than 
     6.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners 
     through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 
     volunteer business counselors serve their communities through 
     entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and 
     success of small businesses. For more information about 
     starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 
     for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Or visit SCORE on the Web 
     at www.score.org.




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