WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume today chaired a remote hearing of the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure. The hearing, entitled "Utilization of Small Contractors in the Infrastructure Plan," provided Committee Members the opportunity to learn more about the resources small businesses need to succeed as federal contractors and to discuss the impacts of the American Jobs Plan on small businesses.
"I convened a congressional hearing this week to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on small businesses and to examine how federal investments in the American infrastructure networks can help small and minority owned businesses," said Mfume. "The American Jobs Plan will create thousands of opportunities for small businesses in Maryland and across the country. I want to use my oversight role in Congress to take a closer look at the existing small business programs and ensure we are maximizing small business participation in contracting at the federal, state, and local levels. This week's hearing was just a part of that process."
The Subcommittee hearing featured witnesses who discussed ways that the American Jobs Plan could be used to rebuild our nation's physical infrastructure, while also creating opportunities for small and minority owned businesses to employ more people. Witnesses participating in the hearing were: Sheila Orhenberg of Kansas City, KS, National President of Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE) and president of Sorella Group; Ralph Thomas III of Washington, DC, National Director Emeritus of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and attorney, Law Offices of Ralph C. Thomas III PLLC; Josh Bone of Washington, DC, executive director of ELCTRI International; and Dr. Annie Mecias-Murphy, Treasurer and Board Member of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida First Coast Chapter and Co-Owner & President of JA&M Developing Corp., Pembroke Pines, FL.
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