III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 540 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 26, 2010 Ms. Landrieu (for herself, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Bond, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Thune) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses in the United States during National Small Business Week, beginning May 23, 2010.

Whereas the approximately 29,600,000 small businesses in the United States are the driving force behind the economy of the Nation, creating more than 64 percent of all net new jobs and generating more than 50 percent of the non-farm gross domestic product of the Nation; Whereas small businesses will play an integral role in rebuilding the economy of the Nation; Whereas small businesses are the Nation’s innovators, producing 13 times more patents per employee as large firms, and advancing technology and productivity; Whereas only 1 percent of all small businesses export and produce 31 percent of exported goods; Whereas Congress established the Small Business Administration in 1953 to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses in order to preserve free and competitive enterprise, to ensure that a fair proportion of the total purchases, contracts, and subcontracts for property and services for the Federal Government are placed with small businesses, to make certain that a fair proportion of the total sales of Federal Government property are made to such small businesses, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the Nation; Whereas every year since 1963 the President of the United States has proclaimed a National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of the United States; Whereas in 2010, National Small Business Week will honor the estimated 29,600,000 small businesses in the United States; Whereas the Small Business Administration has helped small businesses with access to 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 business concerns compete; Whereas for more than 50 years, 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; and Whereas the President has designated the week beginning May 23, 2010, as National Small Business Week: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)honors the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses in the United States during National Small Business Week, beginning May 23, 2010; (2)applauds the efforts and achievements of the owners of small businesses and their employees, whose hard work and commitment to excellence have made them a key part of the economic vitality of the Nation; (3)recognizes the work of the Small Business Administration and its resource partners in providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses; and (4)recognizes the importance of ensuring that— (A)the applicable procurement goals for small businesses, including the goals for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, small businesses owned and controlled by women, HUBZone small businesses, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, are reached by all Federal agencies; (B)guaranteed loans and microloans for start-up and growing small businesses, are made available to all qualified small businesses; (C)the management assistance programs delivered by resource partners on behalf of the Small Business Administration, such as Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives, are provided with the Federal resources necessary to provide small businesses the technical assistance and counseling that they desperately need; (D)small business disaster assistance through the Small Business Administration is provided in a timely and efficient manner; (E)Federal tax policy spurs small business growth, creates jobs, and increases competitiveness; (F)the Federal Government reduces the regulatory compliance burden on small businesses; (G)advanced technology policy facilitates access to affordable broadband Internet service to foster rural small business growth; and (H)systems of intellectual property protection continues to foster small business innovation.