[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 163 (Friday, November 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING AND HONORING THE LOUISIANA BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY 
                                 CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL CASSIDY

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 15, 2013

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Louisiana 
Business & Technology Center (LBTC), located on Louisiana State 
University's South Campus in Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District. 
It is indeed a great honor and privilege to join with the LBTC in 
commemorating and celebrating 25 years of dedicated service to the 
business community in the State of Louisiana.
  Over the past 25 years, the LBTC has partnered with small businesses 
and entrepreneurs to help them reach their goals of longevity and self-
sufficiency. Under the leadership of Executive Director Charles 
D'Agostino and his team, the LBTC has created over 10,000 jobs and 
helped start up companies raise $172 million in loans and equity 
investments. Additionally, the LBTC has been instrumental in providing 
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant assistance to over 
2,500 companies amounting to $77 million in awards. Finally, the Center 
has enlisted the support of LSU's student body in creating a Student 
Incubator which has spawned 28 full time businesses with 97 jobs and 
has raised over $3 million in capital since 2010.
  Based upon the LBTC's long record of accomplishment and achievement, 
they have obtained the reputation of being known as one of the best 
entrepreneurial launchpads in the State. On behalf of the residents of 
Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District, I congratulate the Louisiana 
Business and Technology Center on the tremendous contribution it has 
had in fostering and developing small businesses which are a vital 
component to our Nation's economy.

                          ____________________