is judith here? i hope so. if you are, stand up. i just want to say that the legacy award for lifetime achievement is given out every year. it goes to someone who has played a strong will in the process of the minority business community over 25 years or more. we're very proud that they chose one of our own at the sba. as i understand it, she will be recognized more formally tonight at the gala. i wanted to make sure that we also recognize her today. congratulations to our illinois district director, judith. [applause] our first award is the national 8a graduate of the year. it is given to a firm that represents the true spirit of the 8a program. the award is highly competitive. the criteria are tough. they must make the most of the training and the mentoring opportunities in 8a. 8a is a business development program. they must show how they have grown to be an independent force in the marketplace. they must give back to their community. our winner has done all that and much more. she was born and raised in buffalo , in buffa -- she

is judith here? i hope so. if you are, stand up.e legacy award for lifetime achievement is given out every year. it goes to someone who has played a strong will in the process of the minority business community over 25 years or more. we're very proud that they chose one of our own at the sba. as i understand it, she will be recognized more formally tonight at the gala. i wanted to make sure that we also recognize her today. congratulations to our illinois district director, judith. [applause] our first award is the national 8a graduate of the year. it is given to a firm that represents the true spirit of the 8a program. the award is highly competitive. the criteria are tough. they must make the most of the training and the mentoring opportunities in 8a. 8a is a business development program. they must show how they have grown to be an independent force in the marketplace. they must give back to their community. our winner has done all that and much more. she was born and raised in buffalo , in buffa -- she was born and raised in buff

judith called in and she is engaged. it is a guy and he is a democrat. [laughter] everything and happily and i hope the did it -- i hope the book did. i'm so happy to be hereth you all day and thank you so very much for having me. [applause] .. >> okay. the first note i got was a thanks to the booksellers. my publisher gave that to me. [laughter] >> i didn't know this was for booksellers until she said that. [laughter] >> you know, i don't want to thank you that much. we had six novels now and you've sold 11 copies. [laughter] >> but thanks. [laughter] >> i've been thinking somebody was reading to me that the day after "spooner" comes out, who is that guy that wrote -- this guy can't write a line but -- da vinci code. [laughter] >> dan brown right after i am and he was thinking, you know, if you had some extra covers. [laughter] >> i don't think -- oh, we can put them in bibles. not bibles somebody will take home and read but like the kind that everybody puts in hotel rooms or swears on. i mean, you could stick "spooner" in there and nobody would know. [laughter] >> i'd be so happy. [laughter] >> well, what we've got here today is one of these situations -

is judith here? i hope so. if you are, stand up. i just want toay that the legacy award for lifetime achievement is given out every year. it goes to someone who has played a strong will in the process of the minority business community over 25ears or more. we're very proud that they chose one of our own at the sba. as i understand it, she will be recognized more formally tonight at the gala. i wanted to make sure that we also recognize her today. congratulations to our illinois district director, judh. [applause] our first award is the natiol 8a graduate of the year. it is given to a firm that represents the true spirit of the 8a program. the award is highly competitive. the criteria are tough. they must make the most of the training and the mentoring opportunities ina. 8a is a business development program. they must show how they have grown to be an independent force in the marketplace. they must give back to their community. our winner has done all that and much more. she was born and raised in buffalo , in buffa -- she was born a