[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REGARDING THE SCORE ASSOCIATION

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, America's small businesses are among 
the most vital elements of the Nation's economy. Small businesses 
employ 50 percent of the Nation's workforce, produce 97 percent of all 
exports and generate the majority of innovations that come from U.S. 
companies.
  Many times, an entrepreneur's dreams become a nightmare because they 
lack the necessary training to plan and evaluate a business proposal or 
they lack the proper funding or skills to be successful. That is why 
Madam Speaker I rise today to recognize the work and committed public 
service of employees and volunteers of SCORE.
  SCORE is a vital source of free and confidential advice for existing 
and emerging small businesses and has become a trusted and valued 
partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE has 389 
chapters nationwide staffed with 10,500 volunteers comprised of working 
and retired small business owners, successful corporate executives and 
military veterans and professionals. These experienced business 
counselors share their knowledge and experience with entrepreneurs in 
the strictest confidence and without conflicts of interest.
  In the past year, SCORE conducted more than 300,000 counseling 
sessions and held nearly 7,000 workshops with more than 125,000 
attendees. SCORE volunteers have devoted more than one million hours to 
helping America's small business owners and entrepreneurs.
  SCORE volunteers deserve to be recognized for their commitment to 
public service and for their efforts to build strong communities and 
strong small businesses.

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