[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BERNARD SWEENEY, SBA DISTRICT DIRECTOR, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 15, 2015

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Bernard Sweeney who 
recently retired as the United States Small Business Administration's 
Connecticut District Director. In a career of federal service that 
spanned more than three decades, Bernie demonstrated a remarkable 
commitment to public service. Bernie's federal service included serving 
as Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Special Assistant to the Secretary 
at HUD, and Staff Assistant to the President of the United States at 
the White House. However, it was his work at the SBA that left an 
indelible mark on our state and region.
  Bernie began his career with the SBA in the Connecticut District 
Office in 1987 as Acting Assistant District Director for Business 
Development. During his tenure with the SBA, he served as a Team Leader 
for Marketing and Outreach, a Loan Officer, and Business Development 
Specialist. Prior to being named the Connecticut District Director in 
2005, Bernie was the Branch Manager in the Springfield, Massachusetts 
SBA Branch Office.
  As District Director of the SBA's Connecticut District Office, Bernie 
oversaw the delivery of agency programs for the state of Connecticut, 
including financial assistance, management counseling, and business 
development. He was responsible for directing the activities of 10 
permanent SBA employees, the administration of a business loan 
portfolio, oversight of the Connecticut Small Business Development 
Center (SBDC) network, including its 15 locations around the state, the 
coordination of 7 chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives 
(SCORE) and 3 Women's Business Centers (WBC) serving all of 
Connecticut. Bernie worked tirelessly to ensure that the district staff 
reached out to the underserved communities in Connecticut and that the 
SBA training programs reached these communities. He also helped to 
establish the three Hispanic Chambers of Commerce by offering both 
technical and financial assistance.
  I would be remiss if I did not extend a special note of thanks to 
Bernie for all of the help and guidance he provided to myself and my 
staff over the last decade. From coordinating informational briefings 
to immediately responding to storm and fire damage in various 
communities, Bernie was always just a phone call away. He was always 
ready to assist in whatever ways the agency could provide. He was a 
remarkable resource for all of us.
  For his many invaluable contributions to our small businesses, to our 
communities, and our state, I am honored to stand today to pay tribute 
to Bernard Sweeney. His is a legacy of public service to which we 
should all strive. I extend my very best wishes to Bernie, his wife, 
Sandy, and their son, Zack, for many more years of health and happiness 
as he enjoys his retirement.

                          ____________________