[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey Mr. Pappas is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to small 
businesses in our country. As many people know, across our country this 
week we are celebrating small business week throughout the 50 States of 
our great country. Many of us earlier today participated in a ceremony 
on the steps of this building with members of the National Federation 
of Independent Businesses.
  Many people believe that small business is the engine that is driving 
our economy. In fact, more than 99 percent of the Nation's employers 
are employers that are considered small businesses. Most of the job 
growth that takes place in our economy in the United States is driven 
by small businesses.
  I am very pleased to be a part of a Congress that has committed 
itself to fostering and moving forward legislation that would be 
supportive of small business. And when I say supportive of small 
business, I mean to really allow small business to function, to allow 
small business to operate unhindered and not to take the approach of 
throwing stumbling blocks, which, unfortunately in the past, was done. 
I do not believe intentionally, but that was the practical application 
of so much that emanated from this city, Washington, D.C.
  Joining the 105th Congress was an honor for me and certainly is a 
privilege and continues to be so, but as someone that is a product of 
small business, I am very happy to be a part of a group of Members that 
is trying to be sensitive to the needs of small businessmen and women 
throughout our country.
  I am a member of the Committee on Small Business. When I had the 
opportunity to submit to the leadership of my party which committee 
assignments I was interested in serving on, small business was one of 
my first choices. Some here do not necessarily view the Committee on 
Small Business as being the first tier, but I certainly believe that it 
is a first tier because of what it means to so many of our fellow 
American citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I just want to thank the Speaker for the 
supportive approach he takes personally, and so many of our colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle, to the functioning of small business. I am 
looking forward over the next several months to continuing to move 
forward pieces of legislation that will once again be supportive of the 
entrepreneurial spirit that has made this country the wonderful country 
that it is, that enables people to get ahead, to provide for greater 
opportunities for themselves, for their families and for future 
generations. That is what our focus should be and that is what one of 
my main focuses is.

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