PACB Letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert

April 12, 2004

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Re: Support for passage of H.R. 4062

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers (PACB) represents over 200 community banks with collectively $90 billion in assets and we write to you in support of House consideration and passage of H.R. 4062. This bipartisan compromise, crafted by House Small Business Committee Chairman Don Manzullo and Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez, in cooperation with SBA Administrator Hector Barreto and the lending industry, is a necessary short-term solution that will provide $12.5 billion in lending authority for the SBA in Fiscal Year ’04.

In addition, the legislation, when adopted by Congress, will enable the SBA to administer an additional 30,000 loans for small businesses in 2004. As you are aware, these loans will help grow small businesses in our local communities and create new jobs to strengthen our economy. Many of PACB’s members are strong partners of the SBA in helping small business in their communities and it is critical H.R. 4062 be adopted by the Congress.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Sincerely,

Frank A. Pinto
President/CEO