Washington – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy has named William L. Wong, C.P.A., as the 1999 Accountant Advocate of the Year. Mr. Wong—president of William L. Wong CPA & Associates, Inc. in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii—was selected for the prestigious award because of his outstanding advocacy efforts to improve the economic and financial climate for small business.

"The Office of Advocacy is always amazed by the tremendous slate of candidates from throughout the United States for our annual award. This process is about celebrating the dedication and leadership within the small business community. We congratulate Mr. Wong on this accomplishment and wish to thank him on behalf of America’s entrepreneurs," Chief Counsel for Advocacy Jere W. Glover said.

Mr. Wong is a dedicated advocate for small businesses, especially in the legislative process. As a member of the Governor’s Small Business Task Force on Regulatory Relief since 1995, he championed the passage of Hawaii’s Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1998. In addition, he worked with the legislature and administration on relieving small business paperwork burdens associated with tax filings. Beyond small business efforts, Mr. Wong is committed to rebuilding communities. In addition to other efforts, he is an active member of Kauhale Po’ohales, a task force dedicated to improving conditions for homeless people.

Mr. Wong will be honored during the National Small Business Week celebration, May 23 – 28, 1999, in Washington, D.C. National Small Business Week is held each year, by proclamation of the President of the United States, in recognition of the small business community's contributions to the American economy and society.

Other awards to be presented by the SBA’s Office of Advocacy include: Small Business Exporter of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Entrepreneurial Success; Financial Services Advocate of the Year; Small Business Media Advocate of the Year; Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year; Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year and Women in Business Advocate of the Year. The SBA also recognizes Small Business Person of the Year winners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A national Small Business Person of the Year will be selected from among the state award winners during the celebration in the nation's capital.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy was created by an act of Congress in 1976 to protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation’s small businesses within the federal government’s legislative and rule-making processes. As part of this mandate, the office conducts policy studies and economic research on issues of concern to small business and publishes data on small business characteristics and contributions. The office is headed by Chief Counsel for Advocacy Jere W. Glover. For access to information on the Office of Advocacy activities and small business statistics and research, visit the home page at http://www.sba.gov/ADVO/.

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