[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Guam 
(Mr. Moylan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Roger Williams and Ranking 
Member Nydia Velazquez of the Committee on Small Business for allowing 
me to sit in on their hearing yesterday focused on the challenges that 
face rural small businesses.
  I thank Representative Shri Thanedar for allowing me to be the 
Republican lead on his bill, H.R. 4661, also known as the One Stop Shop 
for Small Business Licensing Act of 2023.
  Small businesses are vital to Guam's economy and are the embodiment 
of the American Dream and entrepreneurial spirit.
  Guam's economy thrives thanks to the hard work of committed, 
dedicated, and resourceful small business owners. It is not easy owning 
and running a small business, and these enterprises face issues that 
are not concerning to large corporations.
  A common issue that I have heard about from small business owners 
from the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the witness panel in yesterday's 
hearing is the limited access to capital. This continues to be 
increasingly difficult with high interest rates and inflation 
continuing to be a burden on how business is conducted.
  Consequently, small businesses are forced to invest less in their 
company and find it difficult to expand, offer more goods and services, 
and provide more jobs.
  While Guam is not exempt from the macroeconomic issues that plague 
our economy, we have our own set of challenges that make doing business 
in Guam more difficult.
  Every business across the Nation is currently feeling the effects of 
inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. In Guam, these 
challenges are magnified because of the island's geographic location. 
Shipping costs greatly increase the cost of goods, and Guam's labor 
shortage is worsened because of this isolation, requiring the use of H-
2B visa workers.
  As a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, nearly every 
business in my district qualifies as a rural small business.
  The issues small businesses face are my issues, and I will continue 
to do everything in my power to support them and, by extension, the 
people of Guam.


            Congratulating the Guam Association of Realtors

  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate the Guam 
Association of Realtors, or GAR, for the launch of their assistance 
program for both homeowners and renters and for receiving a grant of 
$500,000 to fund their program.
  It was several months ago when my island community was struck by 
Typhoon Mawar, leaving it in devastation. Many were left stranded, 
homeless, and without the means to rebuild their lives. It is through 
programs like this that we can rebuild our community and provide a 
much-needed lifeline for our people.
  GAR's legacy dates back several decades and is part of one of the 
largest and most influential trade industries in the Nation, the 
National Association of Realtors. Their primary objectives include 
promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct, providing a 
unified medium for real estate owners, and creating an atmosphere of 
unity.
  I applaud the executive director, Peggy Llagas, the hardworking staff 
and management of GAR, and the board of directors for their 
contributions on Guam and for giving our community hope.

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