[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 1999

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 774, the Women's Business Center Amendments Act. This bill 
increases the authorization for the Women's Business Center Program 
from $8 million to $11 million in FY 2000.
  I support this bill because the Women's Business Centers are 
instrumental in assisting women with developing and expanding their own 
businesses. The Centers provide comprehensive training, counseling and 
information to help women succeed in business.
  Women are starting new businesses at twice the rate of men and own 
almost 40 percent or 8 million of all small businesses in the United 
States. Women of color own nearly one in eight of the 8 million women-
owned businesses or 1,067,000 businesses.
  Women start businesses for a variety of reasons. With the recent 
spate of corporate downsizing in large companies and the various 
changes in the marketplace, small businesses are becoming a vital part 
of the economic stability of the country.
  Women often start businesses because they want flexibility in raising 
their children, they want to escape gender discrimination on the job, 
they hit the glass ceiling, and many desire to fulfill a dream of 
becoming an entrepreneur. We should encourage this current trend of 
women-owned businesses by supporting the Women's Business Center 
Amendment appropriation.
  The Women's Business Centers offer women the tools necessary to 
launch businesses by providing resources and assistance with the 
development of a new business. This includes developing a business 
plan, conducting market research, developing a marketing strategy, and 
identifying financial services. The centers also offer practical advice 
and support for new business owners.
  Access to this information is essential to success in small business. 
The Women's Business Centers provide a valuable service to aspiring 
entrepreneurs.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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