78R16001 KMP-D By: Uresti H.C.R. No. 268CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Hector V. Barreto, national administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has for many years distinguished himself as a business leader and small business advocate of the highest caliber, and recently he has joined with the Texas Department of Economic Development to bring federal support to the Lone Star State's finance and incentive programs; and WHEREAS, This partnership, which was formalized on May 9, 2003, in a memorandum of understanding, also calls for the two agencies to form a strategic alliance in the sponsorship of a Texas-based entrepreneur center; such an endeavor, when realized, will bring unprecedented opportunities to small business owners in our state and to business people throughout the southwest region of the United States; and WHEREAS, Mr. Barreto is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, who developed his interest in business and commerce at an early age; as a young man, he helped his father manage a family restaurant, an import/export business, and a construction company; following his graduation from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mr. Barreto was named South Texas area manager for the Miller Brewing Company; and WHEREAS, This industrious individual moved to California in 1986 to launch his own company, Barreto Insurance and Financial Services, and he later served as chairman of the board for the Latin Business Association in Los Angeles and as vice chairman of the board of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; on July 25, 2001, Mr. Barreto was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the nation's 21st administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, an office he has held with great distinction, and the members of the Lone Star State's business community look forward to working with a man of such vision, integrity, and commitment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby pay tribute to the accomplishments of Hector V. Barreto and extend to him warmest best wishes for future success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Barreto as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.