Buchanan honored for small business work in Congress

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan was honored Monday by the Florida Small Business Development Center.

He received the Small Business Award at a ceremony in Sarasota. The award honors a Floridian whose service to the state has supported legislation that's important to the small business community.

"I am honored to receive Florida's ninth annual SBDC small business award," Buchanan said. "Over 70 percent of the new jobs in this country are created by small business owners.  I will never stop working for the very people who can bring jobs and prosperity back to America."

Buchanan serves on the House Small Business Committee and is the vice chairman of the Finance and Tax Subcommittee.

"It is clear through Congressman Buchanan's past and present actions that he is keenly aware of the importance of small business success to creating jobs and getting the economy back on track," said Jerry Cartwright, FSBDCN's state director. "Just recently, he called for the House to pass the 'Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act,' which includes the expansion the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women Business Centers and other small business support services."

FSBDCN staff used 15 specific small business votes from the second session of the 110th Congress to determine the 2009 Dividend$ winner.

Past Dividend$ award winners were Sen. Bill Nelson, Sen. Bob Graham and former U.S. Rep. Andy Ireland.