[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12920-12921]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




BARBARA McCLAIN OWNER AND PRESIDENT, McCLAIN CONTRACTING COMPANY, INC. 
                             ANDALUSIA, AL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY BRIGHT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 2009

  Mr. BRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor America's 
entrepreneurs, those distinguished individuals who support our 
communities, drive innovation, and keep our nation strong. Small 
businesses bring fresh ideas to the table, develop the resources to 
meet the demands of an ever-changing world, and make a meaningful 
impact on our neighborhoods. Entrepreneurs are responsible for 
providing 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs, giving them the potential 
to propel rapid economic growth and expand ever-developing fields. Some 
of the country's largest companies began as start-ups in small offices, 
homes and garages exploring these new fields. Limited only by their 
imagination, these firms performed cutting-edge work in emerging 
industries that have become the very foundation of our society.
  As our nation and the world face the most difficult economic 
conditions in decades, entrepreneurs have the potential to lead us back 
to prosperity. The resiliency and adaptability shown by small 
businesses in past recessions demonstrate their capability to meet the 
challenges standing in their way and emerge stronger than ever. 
America's small businesses will drive the economic recovery from

[[Page 12921]]

this downturn and our economy will emerge stronger than ever. Times may 
be tough, but America's entrepreneurial spirit is tougher.
  To recognize the monumental achievements of our nation's small firms, 
the Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared May 17-23 as the 
46th Annual National Small Business Week. The House Small Business 
Committee is celebrating all our country's hard-working entrepreneurs 
by saluting the Heroes of Small Business, those men and women who have 
shown the strength, leadership, and resourcefulness that keeps our 
economy moving forward.
  I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in recognizing and thanking Ms. Barbara McClain 
for her tremendous accomplishments on behalf of small businesses. Ms. 
McClain is owner and president of McClain Contracting Company, Inc., a 
firm that has provided a range of services to military bases and other 
federal installations. Ms. McClain began her career as a bookkeeper and 
payroll clerk in 1968, and worked for several firms before 
incorporating her own business in 1990 selling ATVs and watercraft. 
After limited success in this venture, McClain transformed the business 
and became a licensed construction company, receiving a SBA 
certification as a HubZone and 8(a) firm in September 2005.
  With the program's assistance, McClain Contracting prospered by 
expanding its work to the federal level. The company has been awarded 
over $13 million in contracts by Kessler Air Force Base and performed 
work for other military and veteran-service facilities in Mississippi. 
Having gained a reputation for quality work, McClain Contracting is 
currently seeking to expand its services throughout the Southeast 
region.
  Madam Speaker, Ms. McClain has exemplified the remarkable 
accomplishments of which America's entrepreneurs are capable. This 
week, she will testify before the House Small Business Committee to 
share her story. I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join with me in honoring her for the extraordinary work 
she has done for the small business economy. Her efforts demonstrate 
that if given the right resources, America's small businesses can be 
the catalysts that lift our economy from the current downturn and put 
us on the road to recovery.

                          ____________________