Political Quotes

“I rise today to support a critically important piece of legislation affecting small businesses across our Nation--S. 1139, the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997. I would like to begin by thanking Chairman Bond and ranking member Kerry for their leadership and perseverance on this bill. We would not be here today considering S. 1139 if it were not for their dedication to the small business community. As a Senator from Maine, a State whose future economic well-being is dependent on small business enterprise, I am extremely supportive of the role the Small Business Administration [SBA] plays in promoting small business development and growth. The Small Business Committee, of which I am a member, held five hearings this past year on SBA's finance, noncredit, and Microloan programs. As a direct result of testimony given during those hearings by small businesses, the SBA and various industry organizations, the committee drafted a comprehensive bill that reauthorizes and improves upon even the most successful of SBA's programs. I am particularly pleased that the committee accepted an amendment that I offered regarding the Small Business Development Center [SBDC] Program.”