[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 207 (Wednesday, December 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            FRANCIS PADILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Francis 
Padilla, District Director of the Small Business Administration (SBA) 
in Colorado for her dedication and service to the people of the State 
of Colorado. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis went above and 
beyond by participating in many of my Telephone Town Halls to educate 
my constituents about small business support and resources.
  Francis has served the constituents of Colorado in her current role 
since 2017. As District Director, she is responsible for directing the 
expansion and delivery of SBA's various loan and business training 
services throughout the State of Colorado. Prior to her current 
position, she was the Deputy District Director where she led the 
Entrepreneurial Development and Lender Relations divisions in the 
Colorado office and managed the agency's relationships with financial 
institutions, resource partners, local government officials, and 
economic development organizations. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 
Diana provided timely updates related to small businesses relief 
programs and made herself available to my staff and my constituents 
around the clock. Her insights and knowledge were invaluable to my 
constituents and small businesses in our communities.
  It is because of local heroes like Francis that our state has been 
able to support small businesses and keep many of them afloat during 
this unprecedented time. I thank Francis Padilla for her service and 
her sacrifice during this difficult time, and I look forward to 
continuing to work with her as we work to emerge from the COVID-19 
pandemic.

                          ____________________