[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 JEWISH B2B NETWORKING: A VALUED RESOURCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND OUR 
                               COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Jewish 
B2B Networking (JBN) and its founder, Shalom Klein, for their 
outstanding work in promoting and nurturing small businesses in the 
metro Chicago area. Next week, on June 14, JBN will hold its second 
``Business Event'' at the Lincolnwood Town Center in my district, just 
one of the many ways that it is helping small businesses, workers and 
our economy.
  I attended last year's inaugural Business Event, along with 
representatives from over 2,700 small businesses, elected officials and 
job seekers. It was extraordinary--a vibrant, exciting and incredibly 
useful opportunity for small businesses to network, learn from each 
other, make contacts, set up meetings to help build their companies, 
and share their experiences and concerns with Members of Congress. It 
was so successful that plans began right there on the spot to hold 
another Event in 2012.
  Small business men and women are essential to our economic well-
being. In Illinois, they represent 98 percent of all employers. They 
also represent the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that has 
made our country so strong. It is imperative that we foster small 
business creation and expansion--and that is the mission of JBN.
  It is never easy to start a small business, but it is especially 
challenging today as we work to recover from the impacts of the Great 
Recession. JBN was formed in 2010, through the vision of Shalom Klein, 
to help provide the support and tools needed to help small businesses 
thrive.
  Through its monthly networking events, JBN provides critical and 
practical information to help small business owners learn about 
available lending resources. Business to business networking through 
monthly forums provide the opportunity to share ``best practices'' and 
pick up tips that can help small businesses succeed. JBN is creating a 
vibrant network--not just among Chicagoland small businesses but 
between small businesses and policymakers at the local, State and 
national levels. This year, for example, they brought small business 
owners to Washington, D.C. so that they could share their experiences 
and recommendations with the Obama Administration and Members of 
Congress and also learn about opportunities and assistance.
  JBN has touched over 6,000 active business networking partners and 
has over 17,000 subscribed networkers receiving weekly communications 
and utilizing its interactive website.
  Through its Business Event and through online job listings, JBN has 
helped more than 200 job seekers obtain employment. Over 5,000 
businesses and job seekers are expected at next week's event in 
Lincolnwood, to exchange business information, ideas, and resources.
  There are many wonderful small business men and women who have 
contributed to the success of JBN, but I want to specifically recognize 
the vision and work of Shalom Klein, its founder. As a small 
businessman, Shalom felt the need to connect with others. As an 
organizer, he did something about it. He invited 20 people to an 
informal ``networking'' lunch at the Slice of Life kosher restaurant in 
Skokie--and 70 people came.
  Out of Shalom's initiative, Jewish B2B Networking was born. Open to 
all, the non-profit organization has taken off--serving a role that had 
been missing in the community. What I so admire about Shalom Klein--
beyond his enthusiasm and skill--is his refusal to rest on his laurels, 
despite the many successes he has already achieved. As he has said, he 
will not be satisfied if JBN reaches a plateau--as high as it may be--
he wants it to keep growing and growing, empowering more and more small 
business men and women. His spirit is infectious, his ability to 
inspire people to action is enormous, and I know he and JBN will 
continue to excel in their efforts.
  JBN knows that local communities cannot prosper without small 
businesses, and they are committed to providing the climate that will 
help them succeed. I want to thank JBN for all that it has done already 
and wish it well as it, like the small businesses it assists, seeks to 
expand its activities in the future.

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