[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, as part of National Small Business week, I 
rise today to recognize all the men and women who work in or for a 
small business in America. Small business is the heart of our economy 
and culture. It is where the American Dream time and time again is 
realized.
  Prior to my election I was a small business owner. I started like 
millions of entrepreneurs with a vision and lifesavings. My wife Cathy 
and I started with $7,000 and founded Directed Electronics and within 
10 years built a company that is an industry leader in automobile 
security products. I understand the workings of small business and want 
to take this time not only to commemorate, but to remind everyone the 
important role that small business plays in our economy.
  Small Business is not only the backbone of our economy, but has also 
changed our culture. More small businesses are owned by women and 
minorities. There are now 9.1 million firms owned by women: these firms 
employ 27.5 million Americans. Minority-owned firms are the fastest 
growing segment from less than 7 percent of all U.S. firms in 1982 to 
15.1 percent in 1997. Women and minorities are changing the face of 
business by helping break old sentiments of prejudices.
  I appeal to my fellow colleagues to work to help small business to 
continue to flourish so that all Americans are able to realize their 
dream. Right now, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all 
employers and employ 52 percent of the private workforce. This is a 
large block of the American people.
  The President, in March, announced his small business agenda which 
included tax incentives for small businesses, making affordable health 
care available to more employees, and making the federal contract 
process more accessible to small businesses.
  Small business is America. It is the future of our economy and 
culture. Let's not strangle it with regulation, but continue to help 
hardworking American workers and entrepreneurs by supporting the 
President's plan to help small businesses.

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