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| Mr. Schmidt Goes to Washington |
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Mr. James Schmidt, Vietnam War veteran and President of Hohulin Fencing Company, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to speak to the House Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology at the Ensuring Stimulus Contracts for Small and Veteran-Owned Businesses hearing.
The Subcommittee heard from five key federal agencies on their efforts to ensure small businesses and veteran-owned businesses secure contracts awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Subcommittee also heard testimony from other small businesses and veterans’ advocates about their concerns and experiences seeking these opportunities from federal agencies. |
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Schmidt spoke about the lack of government contract opportunities for veteran-owned business versus a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) or a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE.)
Schmidt was asked to attend the hearing and speak by Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock. Congressman Shock stated, “I was grateful that Jim was able to testify before the Small Business Subcommittee and share his concerns on the lack of opportunities veteran run small business’ are afforded in the stimulus package. I look forward to continuing to work with Jim and other small business owners to ensure they are able to compete for federal contracts on a level playing field.”
Hohulin Fencing, the first company to weave chain link fence in the U.S., reported a 15 percent decrease in sales during 2008. Schmidt believes that if there were programs in place for veteran-owned businesses, like there are for other groups, that his business and several others could benefit.
“I was honored to be selected to represent Congressman Schock’s district at the Small Business Committee hearing. I believe Congressmen Schock and Nye will take to heart the testimonies of myself and the other veteran business owners. If nothing more than revealing the current economic disadvantages that exist today for small veteran-owned businesses in job procurement, then I think we accomplished our objective,” Schmidt explained. |
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