[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE PROMULGATION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Record an 
article titled ``Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Joins New York City 
in Promoting Minority and Women Owned Businesses,'' published in 
CaribNews on the week ending April 3, 2007.
  The article celebrates the partnership between the Greater Harlem 
Chamber of Commerce and the great City of New York and efforts to 
increase the number of and provide necessary support to minority and 
women owned businesses. The partnership has been forged in an effort to 
help minority and women owned businesses become certified to provide 
goods and services to the City of New York. According to the article, 
``companies that become certified obtain greater access to and 
information about contracting opportunities, receive technical 
assistance to better compete for those opportunities, and benefit from 
inclusion in the City's Online Directory of Certified Firms.'' Each of 
these benefits is essential to the success of minority and women owned 
businesses, many of whom face considerable challenges in starting and 
sustaining their operations.
  I applaud the partnership between the Greater Harlem Chamber of 
Commerce and the great City of New York and look forward to the 
continued growth of minority and women owned businesses in New York 
City.

  Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce Joins New York City in Promoting 
                   Minority and Women Owned Business

       Harlem, USA--The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) 
     has joined with the NYC Department of Small Business Services 
     in a partnership to help Minority and Women Owned Businesses 
     become certified to provide goods and services to the City of 
     New York. The New York City Minority- and Women-Owned 
     Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program certifies, promotes, and 
     fosters the growth of the City's minority and women-owned 
     businesses. Companies that become certified obtain greater 
     access to and information about contracting opportunities, 
     receive technical assistance to better compete for those 
     opportunities, and benefit from inclusion in the City's 
     Online Directory of Certified Firms.
       GHCC began actively promoting this initiative in the Fall 
     of 2006. Early outreach activities included the Miller Urban 
     Entrepreneur Series at Terrace In The Sky Restaurant on 
     December 9, 2006 and the End of Year Reception at Pier 2110 
     Restaurant on December 20, 2006.
       On February 20th the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce 
     hosted a special workshop on the importance of M/WBE's being 
     certified with the city at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on 
     Broadway and 45th Street prior to its Quarterly Membership 
     meeting. That workshop was the first in a series of seminars 
     and individual training sessions that will take place through 
     June 2007 in an effort to get more Minority and Women Owned 
     Businesses to be certified with the city and make it possible 
     for more minority companies of all kinds to do business with 
     NYC.
       Firms based in New York City or certain surrounding 
     counties are eligible for certification if they have been in 
     business for more than one year and are at least 51 percent 
     owned by a member of an ethnic minority group or a woman. 
     Certified M/WBEs have access to free business assistance and 
     seminars to help them make the most of their certification 
     status. All companies are listed in a searchable public 
     online directory that purchasing officers and contracting 
     agencies use to find the goods and services they need. GHCC 
     begins hosting individual training sessions on M/WBE 
     certification with the City every Thursday and Saturday 
     starting through June.

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