[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF MARY COLLINS, STATE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SMALL 
                      BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANN M. KUSTER

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2015

  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Collins as she 
retires after 18 years as the State Director of the New Hampshire Small 
Business Development Center. In this position, Mary oversaw the 
Center's statewide, regional, and satellite offices, educational 
programs, and economic development initiatives. Mary was a dedicated 
leader and instrumental in ensuring the success of small businesses in 
the Granite State. Her commitment to New Hampshire small businesses has 
had a deep impact on our state.
  The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) assists 
approximately 3,000 small businesses across the state each year through 
advising and education programs. New Hampshire's economy depends on a 
strong commitment to providing support for these small businesses. As 
State Director, Mary had a deep understanding of this and made sure the 
NH SBDC was a widely available resource for Granite State small 
businesses. With years of dedicated service as State Director, Mary has 
positioned the NH SBDC well for a future of continuing to assist small 
businesses in our state.
  In addition to her position at the NH SBDC, Mary has also served on 
many boards and as a member of many organizations across the state and 
in her hometown community. She was on the board of directors of the New 
Hampshire High Technology Council, New Hampshire Experimental Program 
to Stimulate Competitive Research, and New Hampshire International 
Trade Advisory Board. In addition, she served as a member of the Nashua 
Chamber of Commerce's Advocacy Committee, the Legislative Committee for 
the National Association of Small Business Development Centers, and the 
New Hampshire Legislature's Business Regulation Commission.
  Mary has received recognition on several occasions for her great 
service to our state and community. She received the Business 
Excellence Hall of Fame Award from the NH Business Review in 2007, the 
NH Business & Industry Award in 2009, and the Citizens Bank Good 
Citizens Award in 2010. This year, Mary received the Mary Dumais 
Memorial Fund Award, in honor of her dedication to working with women 
entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses.
  I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work alongside Mary 
over the past few years. I look forward to continuing to work with the 
NH SBDC and on behalf of small businesses in the Granite State.
  On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional 
District, I thank Mary for everything she has done for small businesses 
in our state making it a better place to live, work, and raise a 
family. I am honored to recognize and congratulate Mary on her 
retirement and wish her the best of luck on her next steps.

                          ____________________