[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 969 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 969

   Recognizing the accomplishments and the economic contributions of 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) entrepreneurs and small 
                            business owners.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2018

 Mrs. Murphy of Florida (for herself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Pocan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

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                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the accomplishments and the economic contributions of 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) entrepreneurs and small 
                            business owners.

Whereas according to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), there are an 
        estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses across the United States;
Whereas over 1,000 businesses are NGLCC-certified LGBT Business Enterprises 
        (LGBTBEs) and majority owned, operated, managed, and controlled by LGBT 
        Americans;
Whereas LGBT-certified companies reported an average of $2.5 million in annual 
        revenues and contribute over $1.15 billion to the United States economy;
Whereas if all estimated LGBT-owned businesses in America are combined, the 
        economic contribution exceeds $1.7 trillion;
Whereas the majority of certified LGBT-owned businesses are located in the 
        States of California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Georgia with support 
        provided by a network of affiliated LGBT chambers of commerce throughout 
        the United States;
Whereas certified LGBT-owned businesses have created over 33,000 jobs in the 
        United States;
Whereas certified LGBT-owned businesses survive an average of 12 years, despite 
        the national average for small business closures being 5 years;
Whereas LGBT entrepreneurs have started successful small businesses across a 
        wide variety of industries, including consulting, marketing, 
        construction, legal services, and defense contracting;
Whereas a certified LGBT-owned firm was selected as the 2016 Small Business of 
        the Year by the Small Business Administration; and
Whereas despite decades of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and 
        gender identity, LGBT entrepreneurs and small business owners continue 
        to fight for equal opportunities across key aspects of life such as 
        employment, housing, and credit: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
accomplishments and economic contributions of LGBT entrepreneurs and 
small business owners in the United States.
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