[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS UNDER SMALL BUSINESS 
             ACT AND SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 434, the Short Term Extension of the Small Business 
Administration, SBA, as amended by the Senate. H.R. 434 will provide 
for additional temporary extension through July 31, 2007, of programs 
under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 
1958. This very important extension is crucial to the success of many 
small businesses across the country. Our entire Nation's economy relies 
on the success of small businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, small businesses represent more than the American 
dream--they represent the American economy. Small businesses account 
for 95 percent of all employers, create half of our gross domestic 
product, and provide three out of four new jobs in this country.
  Small business growth means economic growth for the Nation. But to 
keep this segment of our economy thriving, entrepreneurs need access to 
loans. Through loans, small business owners can expand their 
businesses, hire more workers and provide more goods and services. The 
Small Business Administration, SBA, a Federal organization that aids 
small businesses with loan and development programs, is a key provider 
of support to small businesses. The SBA's main loan program accounts 
for 30 percent of all long-term small business borrowing in America.
  Recently, my colleagues and I were able to restore funding to the 
SBA's main loan program for small businesses for 2005. And I am 
confident that we will continue to protect loan programs that will 
create and expand American small businesses. I have worked fervently 
and will continue to work to make sure small businesses have access to 
loans. These loans contribute greatly to the viability of many of these 
small businesses.
  Providing loans for small businesses has also played a role in 
``Rebuilding the Gulf Coast'' contracting opportunities. As of March 6, 
2006, the Small Business Administration there have been: 55 Disaster 
Home Loans approved for $727,000; 27 Disaster Business Loans approved 
for $1,750,800; 17 Disaster Economic Injury Loans approved for 
$750,100; and 99 Total Disaster Loans approved for $3,227,900.
  In my own district, small businesses are vital to our economy. That 
is why I have worked to introduce minority, women, and small business 
owners to contracting officials at NASA to help promote and develop 
Houston small businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I have worked hard to help small business owners to 
fully realize their potential. That is why I support entrepreneurial 
development programs, including the Small Business Development Center 
and Women's Business Center programs. These initiatives provide 
counseling in a variety of critical areas, including business plan 
development, finance, and marketing.
  I also support investing in the highly successful Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership, MEP, Program, which offers services to help 
small U.S. manufacturers stay competitive. These measures are important 
to keeping jobs here at home, and helping American small business 
prosper.
  Small business owners are leaders in innovation, creative business 
operations and new technologies and products. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of the extension of the Small Business 
Administration.

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