[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S13566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  HONORING THE LIFE OF PETER H. SORUM

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to take this time to 
honor the life and accomplishments of Peter H. Sorum, Acting National 
Ombudsman at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Mr. Sorum passed 
away at the age of 58, leaving behind an impressive legacy through his 
work in small business, government, entrepreneurship, publishing, and 
political fundraising.
  In his 4-year tenure at the Small Business Administration, Mr. Sorum 
served as the Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, working 
closely with State and local officials to foster open communication and 
strong working relationships among Federal, State, and local government 
officials. Following this, Mr. Sorum became a senior adviser in the 
agency's Office of the National Ombudsman. In that post, he served a 
number of roles, including the regulatory fairness board coordinator, 
trade association coordinator, and Federal agency liaison. Most 
recently, Mr. Sorum was the Small Business Administration's Acting 
National Ombudsman where he worked to ensure that small business 
owners, nonprofit organizations, and small government entities were not 
faced with unfair Federal regulatory enforcement actions.
  Prior to his service in the Small Business Administration, Mr. Sorum, 
a small business owner himself, was the founder and manager of the 
software and telecommunications company, Maple Eagle International. 
Additionally, he published The Word, a Marine Corps Reserve Officers' 
magazine from 1985-1987 as well as Japan Now from its inception in 1992 
until 1994.
  Mr. Sorum's commitment to public service and small business lasted 
until his death. His career spanned several decades, including five 
Presidential administrations. Mr. Sorum's family, friends, and 
coworkers should take pride in his service to our Nation.
  I offer my condolences to his wife Mary Claire, and to his mother, 
siblings, and children during this difficult time.

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