[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 98 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6620-H6622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SBA VETERANS' PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2366) to reauthorize the veterans entreprenurial development
programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2366
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``SBA
Veterans' Programs Act of 2007''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--OFFICE OF VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 101. Office of Veterans Business Development.
[[Page H6621]]
TITLE II--VETERANS ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES
Sec. 201. Veterans Assistance and Services program.
TITLE III--EXPANDING VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTERS
Sec. 301. Increasing the number of outreach centers.
Sec. 302. Independent study on gaps in availability of outreach
centers.
TITLE I--OFFICE OF VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Participation in TAP Workshops.--
``(1) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall
increase veteran outreach by ensuring that Veteran Business
Outreach Centers regularly participate, on a nationwide
basis, in the workshops of the Transition Assistance Program
of the Department of Labor.
``(2) Presentations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), a
Center may provide grants to eligible entities located in
Transition Assistance Program locations to make presentations
on the opportunities available from the Administration for
recently separating veterans. Each such presentation must
include, at a minimum, the entrepreneurial and business
training resources available from the Administration.
``(3) Reports.--The Associate Administrator shall submit to
Congress progress reports on the implementation of this
subsection.
``(d) Women Veterans Business Training Resource Program.--
The Associate Administrator shall establish a Women Veterans
Business Training Resource Program. The program shall--
``(1) compile information on resources available to women
veterans for business training, including resources for--
``(A) vocational and technical education;
``(B) general business skills, such as marketing and
accounting; and
``(C) business assistance programs targeted to women
veterans; and
``(2) disseminate the information through Veteran Business
Outreach Centers and women's business centers.''.
TITLE II--VETERANS ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES
SEC. 201. VETERANS ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES PROGRAM.
Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(n) Veterans Assistance and Services Program.--
``(1) In general.--A Small Business Development Center may
apply for an additional grant to carry out a veterans
assistance and services program.
``(2) Elements of program.--Under a program under paragraph
(1), the Center shall--
``(A) create a marketing campaign to promote awareness and
education of the services of the Center that are available to
veterans, and to target the campaign toward veterans,
disabled veterans, military units, Federal agencies, and
veterans organizations;
``(B) use technology-assisted online counseling and
distance learning technology to overcome the impediments to
entrepreneurship faced by veterans and members of the Armed
Forces; and
``(C) increase coordination among organizations that assist
veterans, including by establishing virtual integration of
service providers and offerings for a one-stop point of
contact for veterans who are entrepreneurs or small business
owners.
``(3) Minimum amount.--Each grant under this subsection
shall be for at least $75,000.
``(4) Maximum amount.--A grant under this subsection may
not exceed $250,000.
``(5) Funding.--Subject to amounts approved in advance in
appropriations Acts, the Administration may make grants or
enter into cooperative agreements to carry out the provisions
of this subsection.''.
TITLE III--EXPANDING VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTERS
SEC. 301. INCREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTREACH CENTERS.
The Administrator of the Small Business Administration
shall use the authority in section 8(b)(17) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)) to ensure that the number of
Veterans Business Outreach Centers throughout the United
States increases--
(1) by at least 2, for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009;
and
(2) by the number that the Administrator considers
appropriate, based on existing need, for each fiscal year
thereafter.
SEC. 302. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON GAPS IN AVAILABILITY OF
OUTREACH CENTERS.
The Administrator of the Small Business Administration
shall sponsor an independent study on gaps in the
availability of Veterans Business Outreach Centers across the
United States. The purpose of the study shall be to identify
the gaps that do exist so as to inform decisions on funding
and on the allocation and coordination of resources. Not
later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on
the results of the study.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
There is no question our Nation's veterans have made great sacrifices
for this country. Many traveled long distances, spent lengthy amounts
of time away from their families, and have been in harm's way to ensure
our safety.
To date, more than 135,000 troops have come home from Iraq and
Afghanistan. These men and women are increasingly turning toward small
business ownership. Congressman Buchanan's legislation, the Small
Business Administration Veterans Programs Act of 2007, ensures that
service men and women will not only have the opportunity to pursue
entrepreneurship but to succeed at starting their own firms.
While many have the American dream of owning a business, veterans
face unique challenges when working to start or maintain their firms.
For this sector of the population to be successful in their small
business endeavors, there needs to be assistance available in local
communities. They cannot be expected to return home knowing all of the
necessary and available tools to start a business. Outreach efforts to
these aspiring entrepreneurs need to be increased and information must
be accessible. The Small Business Administration Veterans Programs Act
of 2007 makes these resources available.
Service men and women contributing to economic growth is not a new
trend. After World War II, the GI bill provided the opportunity of a
college education to this Nation's veterans. By 1956 there were 7.8
million World War II veterans that had participated in an education or
training program. The impact that that single piece of legislation had
on this Nation's economy was great.
Much like ensuring the right to a college education, as the GI bill
did, H.R. 2366 expands business ownership. It provides specific
assistance for aspiring business owners. Starting a business after
leaving military service provides an opportunity for returning veterans
to not only begin a new career but to secure their livelihood. Enabling
this to be a viable option for some of the most dedicated individuals
in our country spurs economic development in local economies,
demonstrates our commitment to their aspirations of entrepreneurship,
and represents true patriotism.
I strongly urge support of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the request to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 2366, the SBA Veterans Programs Act of 2007. I
would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez for working in a cooperative,
bipartisan manner to bring this bill, authored by Mr. Buchanan, a
freshman member of the committee, to the House floor.
No one can debate the sacrifice that America's veterans have made and
continue to make in defense of our country. While the repayment of that
debt may never occur, we can certainly provide them with the needed
assistance to prosper in civilian life. H.R. 2366 is a modest
contribution to repaying the debt and helping them make a smooth
transition into civilian life.
The bill recognizes that veterans learn a variety of critical skills.
Recruitment advertisements for the armed services highlight the various
technical skills that they can obtain through the military. These
skills clearly are valued in civilian companies. In addition, the
military inculcates its members with other important skills such as
leadership, decision-
[[Page H6622]]
making, teamwork, and the drive to win. All of these are critical to
success as a small business owner.
The military does not teach its members how to take these skills and
transfer them to starting a business. They require additional training
to understand the key components of operating their own business
without first having to serve a sort of ``apprenticeship'' working with
others.
In 1999 Congress recognized that more services should be directed to
help the 25 million veterans start and grow their small businesses.
Those efforts succeeded because a number of small businesses owned by
veterans have grown to 14 percent of all small businesses.
Despite this success more must be done to assist our veterans in the
startup and operation of their businesses. Outreach must improve to
ensure that veterans wishing to start their own businesses will have
the training and advice needed to transfer their skills to
entrepreneurship.
The technical advice and assistance are not limited to veterans
leaving the service. Reservists who operate their own small businesses
have their own unique set of operational problems associated with their
call-up to duty. They may not know how long their call-up will last,
and they may need assistance in ensuring that they have in place a plan
to operate their businesses while they are on Active Duty.
{time} 1830
H.R. 2366 represents an effort to expand the focus of the SBA
entrepreneurial assistance programs to our veterans. Of most
significant importance is the need to create more Veteran Business
Outreach Centers. These centers operate as cooperative agreements
between the Small Business Administration and the non-profit entities.
These centers provide entrepreneurial development services, such as
business training, counseling, mentoring and referrals. They also
conduct entrepreneurial business development workshops focusing on
self-development and self-employment. Counseling services may range
from development of business plans to identifying government
procurement opportunities.
There are only four Veteran Business Outreach Centers. To serve our
military men and women, more are obviously needed, and title III
requires the establishment of two more centers in each of the next two
fiscal years.
Another important element of the bill is the recognition of the
changing nature of the military with a greater involvement of women.
Title I of the bill requires the administrator to establish within the
Office of Veterans Business Development a program to provide assistance
to women veterans. Given the rapid expansion and success of women-owned
businesses, it makes sense to ensure that the needs of women veterans
are met when they seek to start and operate small businesses.
Our fighting men and women are the best in the world. Let us help
them become the best entrepreneurs in the world by enacting H.R. 2366.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Johnson), a member of the Small Business Committee.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2366.
By now, every American should know who our Greatest Generation is.
Our Greatest Generation was made up of the returning heroes of the
Second World War. This generation was responsible for one of the
greatest periods of economic growth in our Nation's history, leading to
the creation of the lone superpower which now has become the world's
leader in almost every conceivable category. But it is because we
empowered our returning veterans with educational, business and social
opportunities which helped create an environment in which success was
attainable for those who wanted it. The Greatest Generation went on to
become small business owners and operators, driving the very engine
which is critical for the sustained economic growth of our Nation.
We are now witnessing the emergence of another great generation, a
generation of volunteer warriors who have sacrificed so much in defense
of our Nation's interest. We would be negligent if we did not grant to
this generation the same opportunities to succeed as we have done with
past generations. That is why I support H.R. 2366, and I move for its
passage.
Mr. DAVID DAVIS of Tennessee. I would like to yield to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Buchanan) as much time as he may consume.
Mr. BUCHANAN. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from
Tennessee, for yielding, and also the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Johnson).
I would also like to commend Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member
Chabot for their proving that leadership and bipartisanship is alive
and well in the United States Congress. The Madam Chair has worked very
hard on this bill, and I appreciate her effort.
Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 2366, would create an important program
within the Small Business Administration that gives our veterans not
just a chance in a business enterprise but provides them with all the
help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.
This legislation is intended to help veterans through grants,
information services and contacts with professionals in their field of
endeavor. This Federal program will enhance the ability of a veteran to
become an entrepreneur in his or her own right.
My bill puts an emphasis on providing veterans with market research,
financial options and technological training important to become a
successful small business owner.
H.R. 2366 not only expands the number and the scope of Veteran
Outreach Centers, it ensures the opening of more doors and
opportunities for our women veterans. Assisting our veterans returning
from combat has been an area long overlooked, and it is high time we
did something about it.
I am encouraged by the unanimous consent that this bill received in
the committee and by the spirit of bipartisanship that is symbolic of
its passage. Today, the House will pass a bill that will help
individuals make an important transition from a veteran to a small
business entrepreneur.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2366.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the
motion.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the motion is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
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