Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz Selected as Florida SBDC Network’s 2011 Small Business Dividend$ Award Recipient

Pensacola, FL – The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (Florida SBDC Network) is pleased to announce the selection of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz as its 10th Annual Small Business Dividend$ Award winner. Annually, the award honors a Floridian whose service to the state has supported legislation vital to the state’s small business community and its economic success.

“I believe that small business is the engine of our economy,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Since most Americans get their first job through a small business, and with 60 to 80 percent of new jobs coming from them, it is imperative that small businesses have the support they need to be able to expand or launch new ventures. Thank you to the Florida SBDC Network for this recognition, and I look forward to working together in the future.”

Representing the 20th Congressional District of Florida, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz serves on the House Budget Committee, the primary responsibility of which is to draft the annual budget for the United States Committees. She has worked diligently over the last two years to keep taxes low through numerous tax cuts, and her efforts have increased the availability of capital that fosters small business expansion, boosts the economy and, helps to create higher paying jobs. Her pro-business votes have also supported greater resources and training for veterans to become entrepreneurs.

“Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s support of legislation that fosters small business success is impressive and clearly demonstrates the priority she places on job creation, economic development and promoting small business success,” said Jerry Cartwright, Florida SBDC Network State Director. “Her voting record from key small business issues was unmatched at 100-percent positive.”

Nine key small business issue votes tracked by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Small Business Association from the second session of the 111th Congress were used to determine Florida’s 2011 Dividend$ winner. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s legislative sponsorship, advocacy support and votes are significant and underscore her positive approach to improving the business environment in Florida. In 2010, SCORE honored her with their 2010 SCORE Award for Congressional Support for Small Businesses.

The Dividend$ Award will be presented to Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz at a special event in early 2012.

Past Dividend$ award winners are Vern Buchanan 2009, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen 2008, John Mica 2007, Bill Nelson 2006, Ander Crenshaw 2004, Bob Graham 2003, Bill Young 2002, Connie Mack 2001 and Andy Ireland 2000.