[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E781-E782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 2002

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
small business owners in my district and to celebrate Small Business 
Week 2002. Every morning, 25 million small businesses across the United 
States opened their stores and that number continues to grow. Small 
businesses account for 99.7 percent of all employers and it is time 
that we recognize them as the backbone of our economy.
  In my home state of California, women and minorities make up the 
fastest growing group of new small business owners. Overall in the 
United States, the number of woman-owned businesses has almost doubled 
and minority-owned businesses have nearly quadrupled in the past 
decade. In order to ensure that this

[[Page E782]]

positive growth continues, we must work along side the Small Business 
Association and with the Small Business Development Centers and Women's 
Business Centers around the nation to increase accessibility to 
business counseling, startup packages, and loans.
  Now more than ever, it is vital that we in Congress support the small 
business community so that in the wake of September 11th these 
businesses can continue to flourish. As Small Business Week 2002 comes 
to a close, let's remember to take time to acknowledge these Main 
Street businesses in our own towns and the important roles they play in 
maintaining a sound economy.

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