[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE) FOR THEIR 
            VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the 
following for the Congressional Record:

       Started in October 5, 1964, Service Corps of Retired 
     Executives (SCORE), known presently as ``SCORE Counselors to 
     America's Small Business,'' is made up of more than 11,200 
     counselors in nearly 400 offices who provide time and 
     expertise to assist fledgling business owners and prospective 
     entrepreneurs. Today, the organization fulfills the vital 
     role of helping small business owners survive economic 
     challenges, stay in business, and keep Americans working. 
     According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), each 
     year SCORE assistance helps start approximately 20,000 new 
     businesses and creates approximately 25,000 jobs.
       In 2008, SCORE reached the impressive milestone of 
     providing eight million clients with mentoring and training 
     since its founding. That year, SCORE's nearly 7,000 business 
     workshops drew in excess of 133,000 attendees and the online 
     workshops attracted 51,000 more. Counselors can provide 
     assistance via e-mail and numerous courses may be taken on 
     line, free of charge.
       America's small businesses play a significant role in our 
     economy, accounting for 99.7% of all employer firms and 
     generating more than half of the non-farm private gross 
     domestic product (GDP). SCORE continues to be a well-
     positioned and valuable resource for these small businesses 
     as they grow and develop.
       I commend SCORE's numerous volunteers who share their time 
     and valuable expertise to equip future entrepreneurs with the 
     skills to own and operate successful small businesses. 
     Volunteers from SCORE have demonstrated their commitment to 
     enhancing quality of life, building strong communities, and 
     promoting economic growth. Our communities can take pride in 
     SCORE's good work.

                          ____________________