[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 93 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H5335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS WITH 7(a) LOANS

  (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the economic engine of 
this country. My home State of Nevada is considered one of the most 
business-friendly States in the Nation. In fact, Nevada has the fastest 
growing number of women-owned small businesses in the country.
  The Bush administration talks about the importance of our small 
businesses, yet the President's budget eliminated funding for the SBA's 
7(a) loan program. Our entrepreneurs depend on these loans as the only 
source of affordable, long-term financing for their small businesses.
  Yesterday, the House voted to restore the funding for this program. 
That sent a clear message to this administration that we will not 
tolerate this attempt to jeopardize the strength of the small business 
community.
  Yesterday's vote was a vote for small businesses in Nevada and 
throughout the United States that depend on the SBA's 7(a) loan program 
to live their dream of owning a business, expanding their existing 
business, and hiring new workers.
  It is time for new leadership in the White House. We need a President 
that not only talks about the importance of our small businesses, but 
follows up those words with action to fight for our small business 
community.

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