[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16730]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     MAX SOLIS--1999 CONNECTICUT SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, once again this year, the Small 
Business Administration held its annual Small Business Week. The SBA 
hosts this event to recognize the many accomplishments of this 
country's small businessmen-women. Today, I am pleased to pay a special 
tribute to the achievements of Max Solis, Chairman and CEO of BST 
Systems, Inc., who was named Connecticut's 1999 Small Business Person 
of the Year.
  Having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical 
Engineering from the City College of New York and a Masters of Business 
Administration from New York University, Max Solis went on to found BST 
Systems, Inc. in 1983. BST Systems, Inc., located in Plainfield, 
Connecticut, is a small minority-owned business that employs 
approximately 68 people. BST focuses on engineering-oriented, high-
technology business and specializes in manufacturing and testing high-
energy silver zinc cells, specialty cells and complete batteries, as 
well as electronic support equipment for NASA, the Department of 
Defense, and various commercial applications.
  In addition to this most recent honor, BST Systems also received 
NASA's 1994 Minority Subcontractor of the Year Award and NASA's 
Commitment to Excellence Award in both 1995 and 1997. Just this past 
May, BST Systems was the recipient of the George M. Low Award, NASA's 
highest honor for excellence and quality and recognition of its 
significant contributions to the advancement of our nation's space 
program.
  Mr. President, I am so very pleased to have the opportunity to 
highlight the success of Max Solis and BST Systems, Inc. Small business 
entrepreneurs like Max Solis and his employees keep this country on the 
cutting edge of innovation and advanced technology. And as we enter a 
new century, small businesses like BST will be integral to ensuring 
continued American leadership in these critical areas. I congratulate 
Max Solis and BST Systems, Inc. on being honored by the Small Business 
Administration for their outstanding efforts, and I wish them much 
success as they, and other small businesses, continue to provide 
valuable products and services to people across the country and, 
indeed, throughout the world.

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