[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8680] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL BUSINESS AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO THIS YEAR'S SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RECIPIENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE ______ HON. CHARLES F. BASS of new hampshire in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 5, 1999 Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize several small business leaders from my home state of New Hampshire. As we all know, small businesses in the United States serve as the backbone of our economy, accounting for more than ninety-nine percent of America's employers and employing fifty-three percent of America's workforce. The role of small businesses, especially in New Hampshire, is essential in strengthening our economy, expanding opportunities for employers and employees, and providing goods and services that are second to none. This year, five individuals from New Hampshire have been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for their exemplary contributions to small business in New Hampshire. In addition, 1999 marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the fifteenth anniversary of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center. At the annual ``New Hampshire's Salute to Small Business'' dinner and awards ceremony, these two groups and the following individuals will be honored for their overall promotion of small business and for their individual successes during the past year: Frederic A. ``Rick'' Loeffler, CEO of Shorty's Mexican Roadhouse in Manchester, will be presented with the New Hampshire Small Business Person of the Year Award; Christine Gillette, business and economic development editor of the Portsmouth Herald, will be presented with the Media Advocate of the Year Award; Jeffrey M. Pollock, president of the New Hampshire Business Development Corporation in Manchester, will be presented with the Financial Services Advocate of the Year Award; Arlene Magoon, owner of American Nanny & Family Care Services in Amherst, will be presented with the Woman in Business Advocate of the Year Award; and William T. Frain, Jr., president and chief operating officer of the Public Service Company of New Hampshire, will be presented with the Special New Hampshire District Advocacy Award. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased that Rick, Christine, Jeff, Arlene, and Bill have been recognized for their contributions to small business in New Hampshire. As a small business owner myself, I clearly understand how necessary small business is to our economy, our community, and, most important, to our way of life. New Hampshire is indeed fortunate to have individuals of this exceptional caliber as members of the small business community. I hope that the House will join me in extending our congratulations to this year's small business award recipients. ____________________