III 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 435 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 6, 2006 Ms. Snowe (for herself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Allen, Mr. Thune, Mr. Burns, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Frist, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the entrepreneurial spirit of America's small businesses during National Small Business Week, beginning April 9, 2006.

Whereas America's 25,000,000 small businesses have been the driving force behind the Nation's economy, creating more than 75 percent of all new jobs and generating more than 50 percent of the Nation's gross domestic product; Whereas small businesses are the Nation's innovators, advancing technology and productivity; Whereas the Small Business Administration has been a critical partner in the success of the Nation's small businesses and in the growth of the Nation's economy; Whereas the programs and services of the Small Business Administration have time and again proven their value, having helped to create or retain over 5,300,000 jobs in the United States since 1999; Whereas the mission of the Small Business Administration is to maintain and strengthen the Nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from natural disasters; Whereas the Small Business Administration has helped small businesses access critical lending opportunities, protected small businesses from excessive Federal regulatory enforcement, played a key role in ensuring full and open competition for Government contracts, and improved the economic environment in which small businesses compete; Whereas, for more than 50 years, the Small Business Administration has helped more than 23,000,000 Americans start, grow, and expand their businesses and has placed almost $280,000,000,000 in loans and venture capital financing in the hands of entrepreneurs; Whereas the Small Business Administration, established in 1953, has provided valuable service to small businesses through financial assistance, procurement assistance, business development, small business advocacy, and disaster recovery assistance; Whereas the Small Business Administration has helped millions of entrepreneurs achieve the American dream of owning a small business, and has played a key role in fostering economic growth in underserved communities; and Whereas the Small Business Administration will mark National Small Business Week, beginning April 9, 2006: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)honors the entrepreneurial spirit of America's small businesses during the Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, beginning April 9, 2006; (2)supports the purpose and goals of National Small Business Week, and the ceremonies and events to be featured during the week; (3)commends the Small Business Administration and the resource partners of the Small Business Administration for their work, which has been critical in helping the Nation's small businesses grow and develop; and (4)applauds the achievements of small business owners and their employees, whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence has been a key player in the Nation's economic vitality.