[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E3047-E3048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JANET M. RODERICK

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Janet M. Roderick of Rome, Maine.
  Janet Roderick has been a longtime proponent of the small business 
community that drives Maine's economy, and her hard work

[[Page E3048]]

has helped numerous individuals and small businesses throughout Maine.
  Janet has been a Maine Small Business Development Center (Maine SBDC) 
certified business counselor since 2006 at the Maine SBDC service 
center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. On December 21, 2009, Janet will be 
acknowledged as the 2009 Maine State Star. This honor recognizes her 
exemplary service on behalf of the small business community in Maine, 
particularly in Kennebec and Somerset counties in central Maine.
  The State Star award is presented each year by the national 
Association of Small Business Development Centers and recognizes an 
outstanding SBDC employee from each state. The 2009 award is based on 
Janet's efforts in 2008 when she worked with 148 small businesses, 
provided 1,070 hours of one-on-one counseling, and helped to launch 20 
new businesses in central Maine. Her efforts led to the creation of 37 
new jobs and the retention of 21 jobs. Through her efforts, her clients 
were able to access capital totaling over $4 million.
  Janet has long been involved in helping small businesses, and she has 
been especially active with women-owned businesses and nonprofits. A 
certified public accountant, Janet was previously a counselor for 11 
years with the Women's Business Center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. in 
Augusta. Later, she was an accounting supervisor with an Augusta-based 
accounting firm, where she specialized in small and women-owned 
businesses and nonprofit organizations.
  Janet was the SBA 1993 Accountant Advocate of the Year and the SBA 
2002 Women's Business Advocate of the Year and this further recognition 
is well deserved. The State of Maine and its small business community 
owe a debt of gratitude to Janet M. Roderick for her commitment to the 
success of small business. I applaud Janet's work and extend 
congratulations to her as the 2009 State Star.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Janet M. Roderick for her 
life of dedication and service to her community and the growth of 
Maine's small businesses.

                          ____________________