[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23386]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SWEARING IN OF MAURICE DUBE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I honor Maurice ``Moe'' Dube 
whom I had the privilege to on August 14 welcome home to Maine and 
officially swear in as Maine's district director of the U.S. Small 
Business Administration, SBA. I was incredibly honored to be able to 
celebrate Moe's appointment with him and his family in Lewiston-Auburn, 
where both of our roots run so deep.
  Moe's return to Maine is wonderful news for the numerous small 
businesses and manufacturers in our state who depend on the SBA and the 
valuable programs it administers. In my capacity as the ranking member 
of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have 
had the privilege of working with Moe during his previous service with 
the SBA and know that his experience, expertise, and dedication will be 
a true asset for Maine's robust small business community.
  Because our State so depends on small businesses and entrepreneurship 
for our economic livelihood, I have long believed that the district 
director position is one of Maine's most critical appointments. Indeed, 
according to the SBA, in 2005, Maine had an estimated 151,000 small 
businesses of which over 111,000 were led by self-employed 
entrepreneurs. Of the 40,000 Maine firms with employees, an 
overwhelming 97.5 percent were small businesses employing fewer than 
500 employees. Clearly, Maine small businesses are the job creators and 
drivers of our economy, so it is critical to have a district director 
who will help our state make the most of the SBA's vital programs.
  In his new capacity as district director, Moe will, among other 
things, be responsible for the administration of the SBA business loan 
portfolio; the oversight of the Maine Small Business Development Center 
Network; the coordination of Maine's SCORE chapters; and oversight of 
the Women's Business Center at Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
  Although Moe will clearly have a lot on his plate as he takes the 
reins as district director, I am confident that his long experience at 
the SBA, which he joined in 1987, makes him eminently qualified. Moe 
began his SBA career as a liquidation loan officer in the SBA's Maine 
district office before moving to the business development division, 
where he was promoted to assistant district director for business 
development and later to deputy district director. His most recent 
assignment prior to relocating to Maine was as district director of the 
SBA's Massachusett district office.
  When Moe was with the Maine SBA, I and my staff had the pleasure of 
working hand-in-glove with him on a variety of issues on behalf of our 
State's small businesses. I can tell you firsthand that his 
comprehensive background, keen acumen, and tireless dedication will be 
outstanding assets for Maine's small business community. And perhaps 
most importantly, in an ideal ``one-two punch'' for our small 
businesses, Moe not only knows how to deliver SBA programs as 
effectively as possible--but Moe also knows Maine. I look forward to 
continuing to collaborate with Moe as he advances the SBA's agenda.
  I know Moe will make a fine district director, and I am so pleased 
that a man of his talents has accepted this position, which is so vital 
to Maine's economy. I look forward to working with him closely to 
ensure that Maine small businesses will continue to thrive and create 
opportunities for all Mainers.

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