As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful and distinguished committees in Congress, Congressman Bill Young ultimately sets the direction of funding levels for all Federal agencies, programs and departments. Congressman Young was selected as the 2002 Small Business Dividend$ Award recipient because he has continually ensured that the Small Business Development Centers receive their fair share of federal resources to continue providing much needed assistance to the small business community.

Congressman Bill Young represents the 10th Congressional District of Florida and is serving in his 16th term in the United States House of Representatives. He is the senior member in the Florida Congressional delegation and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

The 10th Congressional District of Florida is composed of southern Pinellas County and includes the cities of St. Petersburg, Largo, and Clearwater. The University of South Florida Regional Small Business Development Center, located in Tampa, provides small business assistance to entrepreneurs in Congressman Young’s district. His district offices are located in St. Petersburg and Largo.

Young, 71, was born in Harmarville, Pennsylvania, and moved to the St. Petersburg area at the age of 15. Because of his outstanding service to the people of the Tampa Bay Region, Florida and this great Nation, Congressman Young was awarded an honorary degree from the University of South Florida. Young served 10 years in the Florida State Senate before his election to Congress in 1970.