[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1997-S1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING KAREN HONTZ

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the outstanding 
service Karen Hontz has provided to the Senate Committee on Small 
Business and Entrepreneurship in her capacity as a detailee from the 
Small Business Administration, SBA. Karen came to the Senate last June 
and quickly established herself as an invaluable asset from her first 
days on the job when the committee held a roundtable and subsequent 
markup on venture capital legislation. As Congress prepares to take a 
short recess, Karen will begin her transition back to the SBA, as well 
as her 20th year of distinguished service to the Federal Government. 
This will certainly be SBA Administrator Preston's gain and my and my 
staff's loss. Thank you Administrator Preston for allowing us to work 
with Karen over the last 9 months.
  As I reflect on Karen's tenure, I will always remember how she far 
exceeded all expectations, working long hours to provide me with clear 
and succinct materials about critical issues facing America's small 
businesses. This was particularly impressive given the volume of 
activity before the committee and the fact that Karen was new to the 
Senate. Indeed, since Karen came to Capitol Hill, the committee held 
seven oversight hearings on issues ranging from Government contracting, 
to women's business ownership and grant programs, to the SBA's budget. 
The committee also held two markups, sending venture capital, 
entrepreneurial development, and contracting legislation to the Senate 
floor. My staff and I could not have navigated these committee actions 
without Karen's sage counsel and invaluable insight gained from years 
of experience at the SBA.
  Not only was Karen extremely helpful in assisting me with committee 
hearings and markups, but she also played an integral role in moving 
legislation on the Senate floor, a rare feat for a new employee. For 
example,

[[Page S1998]]

Karen, together with other members of my staff, successfully negotiated 
with House and Senate committee, floor, and leadership staff with 
respect to controversial provisions in the Military Reservist and 
Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007, 
H.R. 4253, critical legislation that will expand business opportunities 
for veterans and help reservists keep their businesses afloat during 
and after deployment. Karen was instrumental in helping the Senate to 
clear this bill by unanimous consent in late January before President 
Bush signed it into law in mid-February. Karen was also pivotal in 
helping to include a bipartisan and bicameral small business title to 
the energy bill that was signed into law last December. In addition, 
Karen also helped the Disaster Response and Loan Improvement Act, S. 
163, to pass the Senate last August. It was her political savvy and 
innovative thinking that helped produce a less costly bill that met 
both the Senate's and the administration's objectives and was able to 
garner the support of the entire Senate Chamber.
  Finally, I would also be remiss in not pointing out that there are 
often concerns when an executive branch employee comes to the Senate 
for a work assignment, as Congress and the administration sometimes 
approach issues from differing viewpoints. Karen carefully and 
gracefully fulfilled her fiduciary duties relating to confidential 
information received from the two branches of Government, which could 
not be shared between those entities. She was also able to give fair 
and balanced advice, explaining in an unbiased manner both sides of an 
issue. In addition to Karen's in-depth knowledge of the SBA, she also 
provided broader insight into executive branch operations, including 
the Federal rulemaking and administrative processes, as well as the 
Office of Management and Budget's role in the budget and appropriations 
process.
  Karen has truly been a vital part of my team and has provided a 
unique viewpoint and voice that has truly broadened this committee's 
grasp on the SBA and small business issues. Karen's extraordinary 
performance has far exceeded my expectations, and she will be greatly 
missed. I wish Karen and her husband Stephen all the best as she 
returns to the SBA.

                          ____________________