[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6118-H6119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Curtis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my appreciation for the 
wildland firefighters who are working to protect communities and, most 
importantly, lives throughout Utah.
  Many of these firefighters are the same men and women who risk their 
lives to protect our homes and businesses every day in our towns and 
communities across Utah.
  This fire season has been one of the worst in recent memory, 
including six active fires that have consumed over 85,000 acres of 
land. The Dollar Ridge Fire, located in Duchesne and Wasatch Counties, 
has consumed over 50,000 acres alone. I drove by this fire last week 
and saw the devastation firsthand, unable to fully imagine the 
heartbreak families experience as they watch the fire approach their 
homes and their livelihoods.
  While combating these dangerous situations, wildland firefighters put 
themselves in harm's way to keep others safe. They work in extreme heat 
and unpleasant conditions to protect our communities. I will continue 
to support strong funding for the fire suppression-related activities 
that these firefighters rely on.
  Today, it is important that they receive the recognition that they 
undoubtedly deserve. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking the 
wildland firefighters of Utah for their continued bravery in keeping 
Utahns safe.


                        Helping Small Businesses

  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the Small 
Business Access to Capital and Efficiency Act, also known as Small 
Business ACE Act.
  As a member of the Small Business Committee and a former small 
business owner myself, I am proud to introduce a bill that will help 
reduce burdensome and conflicting regulations that are keeping small 
businesses from growth and access to capital.
  The Small Business Administration's 504 loan program helps small 
business owners grow their company and stimulate job creation, at no 
expense to taxpayers. Many favorite businesses like Magleby's 
Restaurant, Market Street Grill, Chobani Yogurt, FatBoys Ice Cream, and 
so many more, have expanded operations and hired new employees because 
of the SBA loan program.
  I love hearing the success stories of businesses like Premier 
Building Supply located in Lindon, Utah, a company that started in a 
garage back in 2009. Since then, Premier has quickly become a leader in 
supplying the Utah building industry and, with the help of an SBA 504 
loan, has now grown into a 50,000-square foot facility with 150 
employees.
  This is just one example of the many small businesses in Utah that 
have great potential for tremendous success if they have access to 
capital. However, as we see far too often, the Federal Government has 
maintained burdensome and conflicting regulations that weigh down the 
504 program with uncertainty, and ultimately hurt the very businesses 
it was meant to help.

                              {time}  1030

  The Small Business ACE Act will eliminate and harmonize conflicting 
Federal regulations burdening the program to ensure small businesses 
more efficiently have access to capital without costing the taxpayer a 
single dollar.

[[Page H6119]]

  I am grateful to have the support of Chairman Chabot and stakeholders 
like NADCO, Mountain West Small Business Finance, and Utah CDC, who 
know better than anyone just how critical the 504 program is.
  I am squarely on the side of helping small businesses and am 
committed to keeping the Federal Government from getting in the way of 
their success. I believe the Small Business ACE Act is a great step in 
the right direction, and I encourage my colleagues to support this 
commonsense bill.

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