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North Shore Business Owner Fran Dichner Addresses Congressional Panel on the Challenges Facing Small Businesses

Punctuates Remarks on Several Issues Currently Before Congress with Impassioned Account of the Jobless Recovery's Human Toll

June 28, 2004

Beverly, MA -- Fran Dichner, President and CEO of Beverly, Mass.-based R&L Associates, Inc., spoke to a group of congressional members at the Democratic Small Business Forum held on Capitol Hill Thursday, June 17. House democrats organized the forum to solicit input from small business leaders nationwide on several small business-related issues currently being debated in Congress. Invited to speak by House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Dichner offered insight from both from the perspective of a successful woman business owner and as the leader of a national staffing firm.

"Small businesses make a vital contribution to the economy both in innovation and job creation, " explained Dichner. "Yet despite the recent improvement in the economy, small businesses continue to face significant challenges like sharply rising healthcare costs."

The forum focused on several issues and bills up for consideration in the House. Many of the speakers voiced concern over proposals that would cut funding for the Small Business Association's 7(a) loan program, which many small businesses rely on for long term financing. Other issues included a proposed small business tax credit to offset health benefit costs and one that would enhance small business access to Federal government contracts. The Democratic Caucus plans to issue a report based on the Forum to be used as a basis for identifying policy and legislative priorities relating to small businesses.

In addition to remarking on small business issues, Dichner's experience owning a national staffing firm also enabled her to share a perspective reflecting both current employer needs as well as the experiences of job seekers. "While we've seen an increase in hiring in recent months, a disproportionate number of these new jobs have been in lower-paying occupations in the service sector," commented Dichner. "We haven't seen as much of a rebound in management and professional positions, or in industries that traditionally offer higher-paying jobs."

During the Forum luncheon hosted by Massachusetts Congressman John Tierney for his constituents, Dichner described employment trends she has observed over the past several years: "Even though women have made strides in corporate America, they are still behind in serving on boards and being promoted to executive positions."

"We've also seen a trend in which other minorities have been restricted to low-end entry-level opportunities," Dichner continued. "Appropriately targeted job training and education programs could help address this "

The focus of Dichner's comments on the economy extended beyond facts and figures. "The numbers don't tell the whole story. Unfortunately the government doesn't keep track of people who fall off the unemployment rolls. It was important for me to share with members of Congress the stories of some of the skilled job seekers I've met with in recent years who've struggled through long and difficult job searches that have had tremendous financial and emotional impact on them and their families. People contending with long-term unemployment may also be more prone to other problems such as alcoholism, abuse, crime, homelessness and mental illness. We cannot ignore the serious consequences these problems pose to our society."

About R&L Associates, Inc.

For the past three decades R&L Associates, Inc. (rlassociatesinc.net) has been "Bringing the Best Together " through a range of temporary, contract and permanent staffing solutions. R&L Associates helps businesses save time and reduce costs by finding the right candidates. In addition to its mission of connecting businesses in eastern Massachusetts with exceptional customer service, accounting, clerical and light industrial support candidates, R&L Associates serves a national client base through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Aries Group, Inc. and BioPro, Inc. Leading manufacturing, engineering and aerospace firms nationwide rely on The Aries Group to recruit and contract with talented engineering and design professionals. BioPro connects biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies with experienced scientists and senior executives.

Founded as a SOMWBA certified company, R&L Associates continues to operate as a minority (woman) owned business. Babson College and The Commonwealth Institute in Boston recognized R&L Associates as one of the Top 100 Women Led Businesses in Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.rlassociatesinc.net or contact R&L Associates by phone at (978) 524-7750, by email Admin@RLAssociatesInc.net, or by writing to R&L Associates, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 107B, Beverly, MA 01915-6105.

EDITORS: Photo available. Please call (978) 524-7750 or email fran@rlassociatesinc.net