[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SMALL BUSINESS PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

  (Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am often asked what is 
the great secret in Washington State's success. Yes, we have beautiful 
natural wonders and thriving high-tech industries, and we are a great 
place to come and visit. Well, I want to tell my colleagues, even 
though we are beautiful in Washington State, it is really the people.
  Today, I want to tell my colleagues about the people in Washington 
State and what makes our thriving economy grow: small business owners. 
Mr. Speaker, 63 percent of all businesses in Washington are operated by 
sole proprietors and 97 percent have less than 100 employees. These men 
and women provide nearly 60 percent of all jobs in the State, and lead 
the way in new job creation. They are the leaders in our community.
  However, each year, massive amounts of paperwork are stifling their 
potential, job growth and productivity. For firms with fewer than 20 
employees, these firms are paying $2,000 per year per employee that 
could go into salaries, jobs and others new sources of income for the 
communities.
  Today, I am proud to cosponsor the Small Business Paperwork Reduction 
Act, H.R. 3310, and I will be proud to vote for it this afternoon.

                          ____________________