[Page H7980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AAKASH PATEL NAMED BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE INDO-U.S. CHAMBER OF 
                                COMMERCE

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of Tampa 
Bay's most impactful business leaders, Aakash Patel.
  Aakash was recently honored as Businessman of the Year by the Indo-
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a group that provides Asian American 
professionals and entrepreneurs a platform to share and collaborate.
  Aakash currently serves as the chairman of the Early Learning 
Coalition of Hillsborough County, a 501(c)(3) that provides quality 
childhood care and after-school programs to many of the children in my 
district.
  At the age of 27, Aakash founded a local consulting firm, with an 
expertise in public relations, targeted networking, and social media. 
Under his leadership, his small group of millennials, over the last 9 
years, has actively resourced over 150 companies.
  His love and passion for our community is also seen in his role as 
the youngest board member of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and 
with his selection as an honorary commander at MacDill Air Force Base.
  Please join me in congratulating one of Tampa's most well-established 
rising stars in the business community, Aakash Patel.

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