[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 206 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR RHODE 
                          ISLAND MARK HAYWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. GABE AMO

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 14, 2023

  Mr. AMO. Mr. Speaker, Rhode Islanders know that small businesses are 
the backbone of every city and town in our great state. It is my 
distinct pleasure to honor Small Business Administrator District 
Director for Rhode Island Mark Hayward for his long and important 
service to our state. Mark's service has benefited small businesses and 
the constituents of our First Congressional District in innumerable 
ways. I applaud his decades of commitment, and I express my gratitude 
on behalf of Rhode Islanders across every community for Mark's 
dedication.
  I understand Mark's retirement has been planned since before the 
COVID-19 pandemic. However, Mark opted to continue to serve an 
additional few long years to help ensure that the Rhode Island small 
business community saw its way through the crisis.
  Mark's decision to help his community get to the other side of such a 
major event is the mark of a true public servant--one who is willing to 
put others first no matter the circumstances.
  The success of so many small businesses across our state is because 
of Mark's many decades of hard work and expertise. For so many small 
business leaders, Mark's steady leadership was a lifeline. Whether 
helping small businesses navigate the Paycheck Protection Program or 
helping new business owners access the technical resources they needed 
to be successful, Mark has been relentlessly focused on growing our 
economy through his public service during his long and effective entire 
career.
  I wish Mark some very well-deserved rest and time off with his wife 
Nancy, his children, and grandchildren. I know Mark's commitment to our 
community is thread throughout every fiber of his being and that he 
will continue to serve his fellow Rhode Islanders for many years to 
come.
  Happy retirement to Mark, and I thank him for all he has done for 
Rhode Island.

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