[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E457-E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING KATHLEEN THOMAS BENAVENTE ON RECEIVING THE U.S. SMALL 
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S 2017 HOME-BASED BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR 
                             AWARD FOR GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2017

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate 
Kathleen Thomas Benavente on her selection as the U.S. Small Business 
Administration's 2017 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award 
for Guam. This award honors individuals who have experienced the 
rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business and have 
worked voluntarily to improve the climate for other home-based 
businesses.
  Kathleen is the Founder and President of The Occasion-Event 
Coordination and Decorating Co. Kathleen started the business as a side 
job to supplement her family's household expenses ten years ago and it 
grew into a fulltime success. Kathleen has since created over 200 
events for people from all walks of life. Kathleen has always been 
known to have talent for organizing creative and successful events and 
was encouraged by friends and family to charge for her services. 
Kathleen and her family made substantial sacrifices and worked as the 
first employees to get the business going and they began to grow from 
word

[[Page E458]]

of mouth referrals. In 2011, Kathleen took a year off from the business 
for reflection after her foster mother passed away. She used the time 
to take a class at the University of Guam Small Business Development 
Center and began to make changes. Kathleen changed the name of the 
business and created a website for the business. She also sought out a 
long time event planner to be her mentor. In 2015, she began to see 
profits and she now employs 8 part time employees and purchases 
supplies from local companies. Additionally, Kathleen uses the 
knowledge and tools she has gained from the University of Guam's Small 
Business Development Center and the Pacific Island Network SBDC in her 
business and shares them with her employees and networks.
  Kathleen is also an active member of our community. Inspired by her 
experience as a foster child from the age of 4 to 16, Kathleen is now 
the President of Guam Foster Families Association. Kathleen is also the 
Vice-President of Soroptimist International Guam working to transform 
the life of women and girls. She has also served as a board member of 
Payu-ta, Guam's umbrella organization of non-governmental organizations 
since 2011.
  I join the people of Guam in congratulating Kathleen Thomas Benavente 
on her selection as the SBA's 2017 Home-Based Business Champion for 
Guam. I commend her for her many contributions to our island and 
community.

                          ____________________