[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Small 
Business Lending Improvement Act of 2007 (H.R. 1332).
  The U.S. maintains its position as a world leader in technological 
innovation and economic prosperity largely because of the talent of its 
citizens, its strong educational system and the entrepreneurial spirit 
of its small business owners. From developing innovative solutions to 
our most pressing problems, to successfully introducing these solutions 
into local and world markets, American small business is crucial to our 
strength as a country.
  Small businesses, however, face difficult challenges. In particular, 
many small businesses lack capital, making it difficult to access the 
financing and loans they need to succeed. With fewer assets to pledge 
as collateral and less reliable earnings than larger businesses, small 
businesses have difficulty tapping into traditional business loans.
  The Small Business Lending Improvement Act of 2007 is designed to 
provide well-qualified small businesses with greater access to capital 
so they can turn their ideas into profit. H.R. 1332 will allow small 
business to more easily acquire 7(a) loans, which will provide much-
needed capital to small business entrepreneurs. H.R. 1332 directs the 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to execute 
rural lending outreach programs, which will aid small businesses with 
expenses ranging from start-up costs to equipment repairs and employee 
compensation. It also provides incentives to small businesses to 
operate in an environmentally friendly fashion.
  If the U.S. is to maintain its position as a world leader in 
technological innovation and economic prosperity, we must do more to 
ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to succeed. For 
small businesses, access to capital is the key. It is for this reason, 
I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in support of H.R. 1332.

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