[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 78 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS LEGISLATION

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to provide business developmental assistance to Native 
American entrepreneurs across the country. I am pleased to be joined in 
doing so by Representatives Abercrombie, Renzi, Moran, Michaud, 
Grijalva, Herseth Sandlin, Honda, McCollum, Wu, and Moore.
  While our nation has experienced a steady economic expansion over the 
course of its history, the vast majority of tribal communities have not 
benefited or experienced similar growth. The unemployment and poverty 
rates for Native American and Alaska Natives are nearly double those 
rates for all Americans. Additionally, many tribal communities lack 
sufficient physical and technological infrastructure, and are hindered 
by low income levels.
  Despite these shocking facts, there are reasons to be optimistic. 
Many Native American owned businesses are flourishing, while the number 
of Native American and Alaska Native owned businesses continues to 
increase. In fact, Indian tribe members and Alaska Natives own more 
than 201,000 businesses. These businesses employ over 190,000 employees 
and generate almost $27 billion in revenues.
  My bill works to expand on these entrepreneurial efforts by ensuring 
that small business owners and budding entrepreneurs can grow their 
businesses by accessing counseling and technical assistance available 
through our nation's Small Business Development Centers. The bill does 
this by authorizing grants that 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. The business 
development tools offered by the SBDCs can assist Native Americans with 
the information and opportunity to build sustainable businesses in 
their communities.
  This legislation also requires SBDCs receiving grants to help with 
these services to request the advice of the governing bodies of Native 
American tribes, Alaska Native Entities, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations on how to best provide services to their tribal members. 
This ensures assistance from the SBDC that is culturally sensitive and 
appropriate.
  It is clear we must do more to assist Native American entrepreneurs 
in building their businesses, which will, in turn, benefit their 
communities. With Congress's support, this initiative can play an 
important role in bringing economic growth to our nation's Native 
American lands. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass 
this bill and help foster entrepreneurial opportunities on areas of 
this nation that have thus far been left behind.

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