[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Small Business 
Week to recognize Dr. Sam Rainey, the founder and owner the Family Pet 
Clinic, a small business located in my Congressional District. Dr. 
Rainey runs a successful veterinary clinic in Denton, Texas that employ 
seven North Texans--and he plans to hire another person very soon.
  It is small businesses like the Family Pet Clinic that are driving 
America's economy today. They create the majority of new jobs and 
account for half of the economy's private output. In 2002, 99.7 percent 
of all businesses were small businesses.
  Small businesses have had an enormous impact on innovation and 
progress in America. Historically, the bulk of breakthrough products 
emerged from small businesses. Small firms produce 13 to 14 times more 
patents per employee than large companies.
  The 108th Congress has passed a number of initiatives to bolster 
small businesses including the Jobs and Growth Reconciliation Act of 
2003 which included a provision that tripled the amount that small 
businesses can immediately expense and increased bonus depreciation for 
the purchase of capital equipment.
  In addition to fiscally helping small businesses, the House of 
Representatives passed Association Health Plan legislation that would 
enable small businesses, of similar trade and profession, to pool their 
employees for better health care coverage benefits. By joining 
together, small employers will enjoy greater bargaining power, 
economies of scale and administrative efficiencies.
  In conclusion, as we celebrate National Small Business Week, 
congratulate Dr. Sam Riley and his thriving small business and urge the 
U.S. Senate to show their support of America's small businesses by 
passing initiatives, like association health plans, that are important 
to small businesses and their employees.




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