[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8244-H8247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 368) honoring the Small Business Administration
on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 368
Whereas the Nation's economy is built on and draws its
strength from the creativity and entrepreneurship of its
people;
Whereas the Nation's 25 million small businesses employ
more than half of all private sector employees, pay 44.5
percent of the total United States private payroll, and
generate 60 to 80 percent of all net new jobs annually;
Whereas the men and women who own and operate the Nation's
small businesses make a vital contribution to the Nation's
prosperity through their ongoing work to create new
technologies, products, and services;
Whereas small businesses produce 13 to 14 times more
patents per employee than large patenting firms, and these
patents are twice as likely as large firm patents to be among
the 1 percent most cited;
Whereas the Small Business Administration was officially
established in 1953 and for the past 50 years has played a
vital role in ensuring that the door to the American Dream is
truly open to all entrepreneurs;
Whereas the mission and high calling of the Small Business
Administration is to champion the interests of the Nation's
entrepreneurs for the benefit of all Americans;
Whereas the Small Business Administration is marking its
50th anniversary by celebrating the accomplishments of small-
business owners across the country throughout the year; and
Whereas the President has designated the week beginning on
Monday, September 15, 2003, as ``National Small Business
Week'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Small
Business Week, and the events surrounding the 50th
anniversary of the founding of the Small Business
Administration;
(2) commends the Administrator and the employees of the
Small Business Administration for their work on behalf of the
Nation's small businesses; and
(3) reaffirms that the Small Business Administration,
through its loan, technical assistance, and entrepreneurial
development programs, plays an important role in assisting
small businesses to ensure a brighter, stronger future for
this Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Velazquez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).
General Leave
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Permission of Member to be Original Cosponsor of H. Res. 368
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), the ranking minority member
of the committee, be added as a an original cosponsor of H. Res. 368.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
{time} 1600
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as has been the tradition for the past 40 years, the
President of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for
the celebration of Small Business Week, which I include for the Record
today. We are now in the middle of Small Business Week for 2003, which
is being sponsored by the Small Business Administration.
The purpose of this week's celebration is to honor over 25 million
businesses that make up the U.S. small business community. It is very
appropriate for us, today, to recognize the importance of America's
small businesses and the significant role played by the Small Business
Administration in our Nation's economic growth.
This year is particularly important in recognizing the 50th
anniversary of the SBA. President Eisenhower and Congress established
the SBA in 1953 to provide financial and management assistance to
startup and growing small businesses.
[[Page H8245]]
Over the past 50 years, the SBA has helped countless numbers of small
businesses survive and succeed in this economy. It maintains a
portfolio of guaranteed small business loans and disaster loans
totaling more than $45 billion. The 7(a) program alone accounts for
approximately 40 to 50 percent of all long-term capital needs for small
businesses. The SBA has also guaranteed another $13 billion in venture
capital investments to small businesses. To complement its successful
credit programs, the SBA's management assistance programs were
delivered to more than 1 million small businesses during the past year.
Some of the great American companies that are now household names
were initially started with assistance from the SBA. Allen-Edmonds
Shoe, the Panda Restaurant Group, Winnebago Industries with help from
the 7(a) program, Callaway Golf, FedEx, Hewlett Packard, Intel
Corporation, Jenny Craig, Outback Steakhouse, Staples, Sun Microsystems
and the Gymboree Corporation all started with infusions of capital from
the Small Business Investment Company program.
U.S. small businesses are the driving forces behind our economy and
are poised to lead this Nation out of its economic doldrums. More than
99 percent of all employers in the U.S. are small businesses, providing
between 60 and 80 percent of the net new jobs added to our workforce.
In fact, the National Federal of Independent Businesses said that in
August hiring intentions among small businesses are at the highest
level in a year.
Small businesses have proven, year in and year out, that they are a
potent force in the economy, accounting for over 50 percent of the
private sector output. And their sights are not just set at home.
Leading the way towards a global economy, the small business community
represents 96 percent of all U.S. exporters.
Over the past 3 years, I have been the chairman of the Committee on
Small Business and the previous 6 years as the subcommittee chairman. I
have witnessed the enormous potential of America's small businesses at
work. As someone who grew up in a small, family-owned business and who
ran his own law firm, I know that small businesses are flexible,
creative, give us jobs, provide economic growth, and, most importantly,
provide hope in a future for millions of families and communities
across our Nation.
The resolution now before the House recognizes the critical role
played by small businesses and the Small Business Administration in our
economy. It is appropriate that we take a moment from our busy schedule
to acknowledge the success of small businesses and to encourage our
Federal Government to continue to provide it help to ensure future
successes.
I urge each of my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 368 as a way to say
thank you to the SBA and the small business community for its
contributions to our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the White House proclamation.
Small Business Week, 2003--by the President of the United States of
America--a Proclamation
The success of small businesses in America reflects the
innovation, determination, and hard work of the American
people. During Small Business Week, we celebrate the
entrepreneurs and business people who create goods, services,
and jobs, and bring opportunity and economic prosperity to
communities throughout our country. We also reaffirm our
commitment to helping more small business owners and their
employees realize the American Dream.
Small businesses create the majority of new jobs in our
Nation and account for more than half of the output of our
economy. They lead the way in generating new ideas and
creating new technologies, goods, and services for our
country and for the world.
Small businesses also reflect the diversity of America.
Nearly 40 percent of small companies in the United States are
owned by women. There are also more than 3 million minority-
owned small businesses across the country.
Because small businesses are vital to our Nation's
prosperity and reflect the hard work of the American people,
my Administration has taken important steps to assist small
businesses and the people they employ. We have reduced taxes,
encouraged investment, and removed obstacles to growth. The
Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 I
signed into law will provide 23 million small business owners
with tax cuts averaging more than $2,200 each. The Act also
quadrupled the amount that small businesses can expense for
new capital investments, encouraging new investment in
technology, machinery, and other equipment. This new
technology and equipment will increase productivity and
create new jobs, thereby contributing to the overall strength
of our economy.
We are also seeking to permanently eliminate the death tax.
With the repeal of this tax, small business men and women
will be able to pass their life's work to the next generation
without having to pay a punitive tax that in many cases
forces the sale of the business or many of its assets. And I
support legislation that would make it easier for small
businesses to offer health coverage options to their
employees. Through Association Health Plans, small businesses
could pool together to offer group plans to all of their
employees, like those available to large businesses. In
addition, we are working to streamline small business
regulations and paperwork. To this end, I issued an Executive
Order that requires all Federal regulatory agencies to
minimize these burdens on our Nation's small businesses.
The Small Business Administration (SBA), which helps
American innovators and risk-takers launch and build their
businesses, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. By
helping small businesses succeed, the SBA continues to
strengthen America.
Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by
the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim September 14 through September 20, 2003, as Small
Business Week. I call upon all the people of the United
States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs that celebrate the achievements of
small business owners and their employees and encourage and
foster the development of new small businesses.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this
twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.
George W. Bush.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 368, which recognizes
the contributions that America's entrepreneurs make across the Nation
and within our communities.
Often, people believe that GM, Lockheed Martin and IBM power our
economy; but the reality is that small businesses are the driving
force. Our country's 23 million small businesses create three out of
every four new jobs, represent 99 percent of all employers and provide
70 percent of workers with their important first paycheck. It is
because of this we, on the committee, say that small business is big
business in America.
Success in small business ownership is one of the unique
opportunities of our economy. Yes, in other countries their citizens
can own their own businesses, but nowhere to the extent found in
America. Americans grow up with the entrepreneurial spirit around us.
The reality of owning your own business is not a far-off dream, but an
achievable goal. We all know small business success stories, whether
they are friends, grandparents, parents, or our sisters and brothers.
The opportunity to start a small business is what draws many to our
country. No place else in the world can someone with hard work turn an
idea into a thriving business.
As these opportunities become more available, the face of small
business is changing. Today, minorities are becoming business owners on
a scale never seen before. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of Latino-
owned firms increased by almost 40 percent and African American-owned
businesses increased by 25 percent.
Small business ownership has also become a new avenue for empowering
women. Whether because of family concerns or because the corporate
glass ceiling still exists, women are striking out and starting their
own companies at twice the rate of all businesses. This is simply
phenomenal.
Make no mistake, it is not easy being a small business owner today.
Small businesses are confronting health care premiums rising 14 percent
this year alone, Federal regulatory compliance costs are increasing for
small businesses, and the Federal Government continues blocking them
from benefiting from the $235 billion Federal procurement market. While
it is never easy, small business owners are in desperate need of health
care reform, a national energy plan to reduce skyrocketing costs,
access to capital, targeted tax relief, and access to government
procurement.
[[Page H8246]]
Small businesses are a proven tool to guide the Nation out of
economic downturns. Small businesses have done it before, and small
businesses can do it again. However, their success can only be achieved
if we provide them with the help they require.
So, today, as we recognize the hard work and commitment of America's
entrepreneurs, it is also important that we recommit ourselves to
working to create an economic environment that encourages growth for
them. We must strive to make the job of our Nation's small businesses
all the much easier. It is at least what we can do, given all they have
done for us.
Today, with the adoption of this resolution, in a very small way we
thank our Nation's entrepreneurs for the contributions they make every
day. They are the catalyst for economic growth, and they are the
anchors of our communities.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on
Small Business, I want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman
Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for their
leadership on small business matters.
Mr. Speaker, for the past 40 years, the President has issued a
proclamation calling for the celebration of Small Business Week. I rise
in support of the Small Business Administration's designating the week
of September 14 through 20, 2003, as National Small Business Week. This
celebration will honor the estimated 25 million small businesses in
America who have created three out of every four new jobs and generate
more than 55 percent of America's innovations.
Small Business Week recognizes outstanding small business owners for
their personal achievements and contributions to our Nation's economy.
One outstanding entrepreneur is named to represent each State as the
State's Small Business Person of the Year. From this group, the
National Small Business Person of the Year is chosen.
Small businesses employ half of our workers and account for half of
our gross domestic product. Small businesses have and will continue to
pull the U.S. economy out of recession. They anchor our neighborhoods,
employ and train our workers, and take care of our families. They are
the reason that the United States economy has consistently been known
as the strongest in the world.
Today, we honor our small businesses and entrepreneurs for their
efforts and what they mean to America.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman
Manzullo) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Velazquez), for their leadership and urge passage of this resolution.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise as an original cosponsor in strong
support of H. Res. 368, introduced by the Committee on Small Business
chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).
This legislation honors the Small Business Administration on the
occasion of its 50th anniversary and designates this week as National
Small Business Week.
In 1953, the SBA was created to champion the interests of the
Nation's entrepreneurs for the benefit of all Americans. Our Nation's
economy is built on and draws its strength from the creativity and
entrepreneurship of its people.
Over 25 million small businesses employ more than half of all private
sector employees. They pay 44.5 percent of the total United States
private payroll. They generate 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs
annually. Small businesses are, in fact, the engine of this Nation's
economy, as was said earlier by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Velazquez).
I worked with my father in south Texas to build a small business in
my district that today employs over 300 people. The SBA played a key
role in this company's development by assisting my family in growing
this business during the last 54 years. Presently, Ms. Sylvia Zamponi,
the district director for the SBA in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
District, is providing similar assistance to my constituents. I want to
commend her for all her efforts on behalf of the small business owners
in my congressional district.
I also want to express my appreciation for all of the efforts of the
gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) to support small businesses
and to improve their situation, particularly the manufacturing sector
in the United States that currently is in a crisis with the dramatic
loss of manufacturing jobs.
To help address this crisis, the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman
Manzullo) organized the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus, which I
have joined, to preserve manufacturing jobs in America. The caucus will
not only educate Washington on the importance of manufacturing in
America, but it will work to enact policies to stem job losses and to
put people back to work, including in south Texas and throughout the
country.
I also commend the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Velazquez), for taking appropriate actions to ensure that SBA continues
to perform effectively the mission Congress gave it over 50 years ago.
Mr. Speaker, again, I congratulate the SBA on its 50th anniversary
and hope that the current administration will continue to fully fund
SBA so it may continue to assist entrepreneurs throughout this country.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Guam (Mr. Bordallo).
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's small business community
during national Small Business Week and recognize those small
businesses on Guam that are the backbone of our island economy.
I would also like to take this time to thank Mr. Kenneth Lujan, the
director of Small Business Administration District Office in Hagatna,
Guam, for his continued hard work to provide important services to
assist small businesses on Guam to grow and thrive. I want to wish Mr.
Lujan and the entire SBA office on Guam a happy 50th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of businesses on Guam are small operations. I
guess you could call Guam the SBA community of the United States. I am
grateful for the continued hard work and the innovation of our island's
entrepreneurs, which help grow and enhance the economy on Guam, as well
as provide jobs.
{time} 1615
In particular, I want to congratulate Mr. John Shen for being
selected as the Small Businessman of the Year on Guam. Mr. Shen is the
owner of Shen's Corporation, which operates Prestige Automobiles on
Guam. Mr. Shen was born in Taiwan, but immigrated to Guam in 1979. Mr.
Shen and his wife started several small business operations before the
opportunity presented itself for Mr. Shen to acquire the local BMW
dealership on Guam in 1991. He worked diligently to pull the company
out of financial distress and has turned Prestige Automobiles into a
strong and profitable small enterprise. In a time when Guam is
experiencing the effects of 20 percent unemployment, Mr. Shen serves as
an example of how hard work, innovation, and commitment to small
enterprise can overcome serious obstacles.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SBA, let us not forget
our responsibilities as legislators to create an environment where
people like Mr. Shen can, with hard work, realize his dreams. Let us
reaffirm our commitment in assisting our Nation's entrepreneurs so that
they may too live the great American Dream.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thought there could not be a
better matching of two legislative initiatives that we have had the
opportunity to speak on today, and that is
[[Page H8247]]
the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington and the honoring and
recognition of the anniversary, the 50th anniversary of the Small
Business Administration, and particularly recognizing Small Business
Week.
I first want to acknowledge the work of the Committee on Small
Business of this House and to thank the gentleman from Illinois
(Chairman Manzullo) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New
York (Ms. Velazquez) for the cooperative, singular spirit that they
have on the issue of improving and promoting small businesses in the
United States of America. Clearly, I believe, their very cooperative
work has been an example of the very fine committee work that all of us
admire, and that is, the purpose is to ensure that our small businesses
are successful and they work very effectively, both the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and his emphasis on buying American and, as
well, the insight he has given to the idea of the loss of manufacturing
jobs and the need to restore them. And the gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Velazquez) has been enormously effective in ensuring that all
government agencies and all contracts between the United States and the
private sector have as a component small businesses, women-owned
businesses, and minority-owned businesses. I collectively thank both of
them for their effort and this tribute and this anniversary should be a
reflection on their good works.
I do want to also acknowledge the good works of our Small Business
Administration regional centers all over the Nation by tribute to all
of them who take a special opportunity to work with and to help our
small businesses. Likewise, I would say that it is very important to
note the regional director, Milton Wilson, who heads the office in
Houston, Texas.
The reason why I believe that the tribute to the Small Business
Administration's 50th year anniversary and the March on Washington have
a lot in common is because there is work undone. I pay tribute to those
who were brave enough to go to Washington in 1963 to lead not just the
250,000 plus, but to lead the Nation for a more equal and just
community. A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, James
Farmer, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), and Martin Luther King
understood that unless we lifted all boats, no boats would be lifted.
They promoted equality and justice among all, irrespective of religion
and race.
The Small Business Administration promotes small business,
recognizing that they are in fact the backbone of America, including
small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned
businesses. I believe that we have a lot of work undone, Mr. Speaker.
We need to provide more tax incentives for small businesses, and
certainly we must consider the fact that they need to have more
training and opportunity to work with the government.
Finally, I would say there is no doubt that as it relates to the
cause of civil rights, there is much work to be done; and I hope this
Congress will rise to the occasion and ensure that there are equal
rights for all. My congratulations to the Small Business Administration
and to the brave souls who marched on Washington in 1963.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to thank the author of
this resolution and also staffer Patrick Wilson for taking the lead on
today's resolution.
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, for the past 40
years the President has issued a proclamation calling for the
celebration of Small Business Week. This year National Small Business
Week runs from September 15th through the 20th. Since the founding of
our country, small businesses have contributed immeasurably to our
progress and economic strength.
Let us celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit in America during
National Small Business Week. The approximately 23 million small
businesses in the United States employ more than half of the country's
private work force, create three of every four new jobs, and generate
most of America's innovations. Small businesses are the backbone of
this country and they are an enduring symbol of the American Dream.
For example, five years ago a young couple in my district had a dream
to open a grocery store in the City of Whittier, California. Their
vision for the store was to specialize in fresh, ready to prepare
Hispanic foods in the historic district of Whittier. Country Fresh
Market has found a niche in the grocery retail market that has posted
double-digit gains from last year. Subsequently, on March 27th Country
Fresh Market was featured on the Food Network in a nationally broadcast
segment of ``Food Finds,'' hosted by Sandra Pinkney.
Country Fresh Market is a business success story, and they make many
contributions to their local community, including the local Boys and
Girls Club and YMCA's Annual Pancake Breakfast. Since its inception,
Country Fresh Market has also had four employees graduate from college
and helped many of its employees purchase homes. Country Fresh Market
prides itself in its employees' success, because its employees are its
``familia'' (family).
Country Fresh Market is a true business success in my district. As a
member of the small business community, I'm working to increase the
SBA's microloan program from $35,000 to $50,000. By helping small
businesses gain access to capital, I hope to bolster the number of
small businesses that succeed each year.
Today, let us honor small businesses, like Country Fresh Market. By
celebrating America's small businesses, we are keeping the American
Dream alive and well for today, and for future generations.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Small
Business Week, and the Small Business Administration is celebrating its
50th Anniversary. I would like to congratulate the Small Business
Administration, its employees and all of its resource partners on this
truly momentous occasion.
Created by the passage of the Small Business Act in 1953 during the
Eisenhower administration, the SBA was charged to ``aid, counsel,
assist and protect'' the interest of small businesses in this nation.
Mr. Speaker, the SBA has made tremendous strides following its
original mandate over the past half century. According to the agency,
nearly 20 million small firms have received either direct or indirect
assistance over the past fifty years.
Small businesses are the engine that drives our nation's economy,
generating over half of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and
the SBA plays a key part in ensuring the engine remains strong and
viable, especially in tough economic times.
There are currently about 23 million small businesses in the United
States, which represents 99.7 percent of all private sector employers.
Small businesses also generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs
annually.
American small businesses are extremely diverse. Women owned small
businesses generated $819 billion in revenues, and employed more than 7
million workers in 1997, the last year such data is available. In that
same year, 5.8 percent of small businesses were owned by Hispanic
Americans, 4.4 percent by Asian Americans, and 4 percent by African
Americans.
Small businesses also made up 97 percent of all identified exporters
and produced 29 percent of the known export value in fiscal year 2001.
As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and
Exports, I am especially proud of the agency and its tireless efforts
to help all small businesses.
Two weeks ago, I held a field hearing in my District, Long Beach,
California, where a very distinguished group of panelists discussed the
importance of small businesses to not only southern California but to
the nation as well.
I was pleased to learn during the course of that hearing that the SBA
Los Angeles District Office is the number one business lending office
in the United States. Over the past three years, the office has
provided $128 million in financing to 381 businesses in my home
District.
I am sure that there are many more success stories nationwide about
the hard work the SBA does on behalf of our nation's entrepreneurs, and
I am sure that the SBA will be helping small businesses in their
efforts to keep our economy strong for years to come.
Congratulations on 50 years of service to our small businesses.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 368.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________