[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING SCORE AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SMALL BUSINESSES

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                           HON. ALLEN B. WEST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. WEST. Mr. Speaker, I realize that small business is essential for 
creating jobs in our nation. Small businesses are the engine of 
America's economy, and there is an organization that exists to help 
strengthen small businesses and assist them in achieving their dreams. 
That organization is SCORE. SCORE is a nonprofit that provides free 
business advice to anyone looking to start or grow a small business. 
With over 350 chapters across our nation, SCORE volunteers stand ready 
and willing to help all of those who want it.
  As a strong supporter of all small businesses in our nation, I am 
proud to congratulate the South Palm Beach SCORE chapter in Florida for 
winning the United States Small Business Administration's National 
SCORE Chapter of the Year Award. South Palm Beach SCORE was chosen to 
receive this award thanks to the strong relationships they've built in 
their local small business community, the programs they have developed 
assisting veterans and young entrepreneurs, and their efforts to expand 
the reach of their chapter to new entrepreneurs and small business 
owners.
  South Palm Beach SCORE helped over 5000 small businesses in Fiscal 
Year 2011. South Palm Beach SCORE has also started a number of programs 
that have helped their community grow, including joining with Lynn 
University, Palm Beach State College, and Florida Atlantic University 
to assist with Veteran Affairs, Government Trade Shows, and Mentoring 
Business School students and alumni; forming a program with the Boca 
Raton Chamber of Commerce to provide a 33-week course working with area 
students, ages 11 18, focused on successfully starting and operating a 
small business; and creating the Veterans Grant Program to help 
returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets start or grow their own business.
  South Palm Beach SCORE members funded the program by donating over a 
quarter of a million dollars of their own money to get the program off 
the ground. The criteria for National SCORE Chapter of the Year award 
is based on demonstration of the chapter delivering quality, 
contributions to the community, client focus, and merit achievement.
  To ensure small businesses' continued success, I will work to focus 
in the United States Congress on what is best for entrepreneurs, small 
business owners and their communities. This means providing SCORE with 
the funding they need to adequately assist those people who need it.
  SCORE is an effective and efficient catalyst for job creation. 
Studies show for every $1 appropriated to SCORE, $57 flows into the 
federal treasury from SCORE clients. SCORE is a unique national 
organization serving the two great American ideals: entrepreneurial 
spirit and volunteerism. It is my hope the Federal Government tries to 
maintain SCORE's budget at $7 million to let volunteer experts continue 
to help small business owners at no cost to them.
  SCORE exists to help entrepreneurs achieve their dream of success and 
strengthen the economy of this great nation, and we need to support 
them in their efforts.
  South Palm Beach SCORE chapter winning the Small Business 
Administration's National SCORE Chapter of the Year Award exemplifies 
the goal in meeting entrepreneurs' dreams and growing of economy.

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