[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACT

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today to introduce legislation to provide assistance to Native 
American entrepreneurs throughout the country. This bill authorizes 
grants that Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) can apply for to 
provide assistance with outreach, development, and enhancement on 
Indian lands of small business startups and expansions that are owned 
by Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians.
  I introduced this legislation during the 107th and 108th Congresses 
and it passed the House overwhelmingly both times but it did not pass 
the Senate. I am pleased to reintroduce this legislation today and wish 
to thank Small Business Committee Chairman Manzullo, Ranking Member 
Velazquez, as well as Representatives Oberstar, Case, Grijalva, 
Abercrombie, McDermott, Reyes, Honda, Hastings, Pallone, Young, Towns, 
Matheson, Herseth, Cubin, McCollum, and Moran for their support.
  While economic data shows much uncertainty for our national economy, 
the effects from our struggling economy are desperate on our Native 
American lands. The unemployment rate is over 10 times the national 
average on Native American lands and Native Americans and Native 
Alaskans have almost double the poverty rate than the national average.
  There is, however, a bright spot. Small business creation has 
drastically increased on tribal lands, which has lead to job growth in 
these areas. In fact, in recent decades, Native American business 
growth and gross receipts have dwarfed overall small business growth 
rates and total gross receipts. You can see why there is a reason to be 
optimistic. As we all know, small businesses are the fuel for the 
engine of economic growth. That is why it is so imperative that we take 
steps to help ensure that small business development reaches the places 
in this country where economic prosperity has yet to be realized.
  My bill ensures that Native Americans, Native Alaskans and Native 
Hawaiians seeking to create, develop and expand small businesses, have 
full access to the counseling and technical assistance available 
through the SBA's SBDC program. The business development tools offered 
by the SBDCs can assist Native Americans with the information and 
opportunity to build sustainable businesses in their communities.
  Additionally, this legislation requires a state receiving a small 
business development center program grant to request the advice of the 
governing bodies of Indian tribes, corporations organized pursuant to 
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and other Alaska Native 
entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations, as appropriate, on how 
best to provide assistance to such members, Alaska Natives, and Native 
Hawaiians and where to locate satellite centers to provide--such 
assistance. This ensures assistance from the SBDC that is culturally 
sensitive and appropriate.
  It is clear we can do more to aid Native American entrepreneurs. Not 
enough has been done to assist Native Americans in building their 
businesses, which in turn helps benefit their communities. I hope to 
change that with my proposal.
  I look forward to passage of this bill, and to the day it is signed 
into law.

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