[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this 
opportunity today to honor all those who own and work for small 
businesses as part of National Small Business Week. These men and women 
should be recognized for their spirit of entrepreneurship, 
determination, persistence, and contribution to our economic 
prosperity.
  Small businesses represent 95 percent of all employers, create half 
of our economic growth, and create three out of four new jobs 
throughout the nation. As leaders in innovation and new technology, 
they produce up to fourteen more patents per employee than large 
corporations. Nearly half of these small businesses are owned by women 
entrepreneurs.
  Owners of small businesses are risk takers who aren't afraid to take 
an idea they have and make it a reality. Because of their positive 
impact on our country, we should not make the risks they take any more 
difficult. The Bush Administration and Congress should cultivate small 
businesses by advancing policies that enable small businesses to start 
and flourish, not placing impediments that stunt their growth.
  Under President Bush's budget, small business assistance programs are 
some of the hardest hit with cuts. Reductions to these assistance 
programs are much greater than the program cuts elsewhere in the budget 
he submitted to Congress. Half of all government small business 
assistance programs are for elimination or for severe cuts, with the 
average cut at nearly 80 percent. Among the programs cut or eliminated 
are the Community Development Financial Institutions which helps small 
businesses in underprivileged communities receive capital, the 
Microloan program which provides loans to people who would not normally 
be eligible to receive one; the Minority Business Development Agency 
which focuses only on the establishment and growth of minority owned 
businesses; and the Women's Business Centers which help aspiring female 
entrepreneurs.
  These cuts are unacceptable, and I am hopeful that through the 
appropriations process we can restore the funding to these programs. 
The government should not be in the business of making it more 
difficult to receive start-up capital. We should also be encouraging 
minorities and women to begin businesses, especially in communities in 
need of thriving companies, not cutting the programs that make it 
easier to succeed.
  Small business owners are the backbone of our economy. They deserve 
the respect and assistance of the federal government. Instead, they 
have seen the government cut the programs that help them become 
successes. I am looking forward to the day when the government is there 
to help every person who has ever dreamt of owning their own business 
and seeing those stores, restaurants and companies thrive.

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