[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 28, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H8915-H8916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY ACT

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1807) to provide distance learning to potential and existing 
entrepreneurs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1807

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Educating Entrepreneurs 
     through Today's Technology Act''.

     SEC. 2. EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

       The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended 
     by redesignating section 44 as section 45 and by inserting 
     the following new section after section 43:

     ``SEC. 44. EDUCATING AND NETWORKING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

       ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
     distance learning and opportunities for the exchange of peer-
     to-peer technical assistance through online networking to 
     potential and existing entrepreneurs through the use of 
     technology.
       ``(b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term 
     `qualified third-party vendor' means an entity with 
     experience in distance learning content or communications 
     technology, or both, with the ability to utilize on-line, 
     satellite, video-on-demand, and connected community-based 
     organizations to distribute and conduct distance learning and 
     establish an online network for use by potential and existing 
     entrepreneurs to facilitate the exchange of peer-to-peer 
     technical assistance related to entrepreneurship, credit 
     management, financial literacy, and Federal small business 
     development programs.
       ``(c) Authority.--The Administrator shall contract with 
     qualified third-party vendors for entrepreneurial training 
     content, the development of communications technology that 
     can distribute content under this section throughout the 
     United States, and the establishment of a nationwide, online 
     network for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical 
     assistance. The Administrator shall contract with at least 
     two qualified third-party vendors to develop content.
       ``(d) Content.--The Administrator shall ensure that the 
     content referred to in subsection (c) is timely and relevant 
     to entrepreneurial development and can be successfully 
     communicated remotely to an audience through the use of 
     technology. The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, promote content that makes use of technologies 
     that allow for remote interaction by the content provider 
     with an audience. The Administrator shall ensure that the 
     content is catalogued and accessible to small businesses on-
     line or through other remote technologies.
       ``(e) Communications Technology.--The Administrator shall 
     ensure that the communications technology referred to in 
     subsection (c) is able to distribute content throughout all 
     50 States and the territories of the United States to small 
     business concerns, home-based businesses, Small Business 
     Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, Veterans 
     Business Centers, SCORE chapters, and the Small Business 
     Administration and network entrepreneurs throughout all 50 
     States and the territories of the United States to allow for 
     peer-to-peer learning through the creation of a location 
     online that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners 
     the opportunity to exchange technical assistance through the 
     sharing of information. To the extent possible, the qualified 
     third-party vendor should deliver the content and facilitate 
     the networking using broadband technology.
       ``(f) Reports to Congress.--The Administrator shall submit 
     a report to Congress 6 months after the date of the enactment 
     of this section containing an analysis of the Small Business 
     Administration's progress in implementing this section. The 
     Administrator shall submit a report to Congress 1 year after 
     the date of the enactment of this section and annually 
     thereafter containing the number of presentations made under 
     this section, the number of small businesses served under 
     this section, the extent to which this section resulted in 
     the establishment of new businesses, and feedback on the 
     usefulness of this medium in presenting entrepreneurial 
     education and facilitating the exchange of peer-to-peer 
     technical assistance throughout the United States.

[[Page H8916]]

       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
     $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Thompson) 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 as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of this bill which will help entrepreneurs grow 
their businesses through the expanded use of cutting-edge technology. 
This bill is a bipartisan product introduced by Representative Thompson 
from Pennsylvania and promises to go a long way in helping small firms 
flourish. Entrepreneurship is the tested tool for powering economies. 
So it should come as no surprise that entrepreneurial development, or 
ED, programs, have a track record for sparking growth. In fact, every 
$1 put into these initiatives puts another $2.87 into the Treasury. You 
cannot argue with that kind of return, especially at a time when our 
economy is fighting to recover.
  While small business growth is important to any community, it is 
especially vital in struggling rural regions and urban areas. When 
recession hits, these areas fall the hardest. That is why this bill is 
so important. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, it delivers 
entrepreneurial development training to Americans everywhere. In doing 
so, it encourages business growth in places where it might not 
otherwise take root.
  This is critical because entrepreneurship is more than a means of 
employment. It is a path to economic independence. Technology is often 
referred to as the great equalizer. It is an avenue through which all 
businesses, large and small, can attract new customers and reach 
untapped markets. It is also an effective means for delivering 
information and sharing data.
  The Educating Entrepreneurs through Today's Technology Act builds on 
those two capabilities. With the click of a mouse, an aspiring 
entrepreneur in Appalachia can participate in a training program 
broadcast out of San Francisco. Resources such as satellite seminars 
and online information sessions make it easy for entrepreneurs 
everywhere to access information on a broad range of topics. Starting 
and running a small business can be challenging. In the current 
environment, even seasoned entrepreneurs are struggling to adapt. 
Proper training in areas like credit management, financial literacy and 
Federal small business programs are more important than ever. Whether 
we are talking about fledgling entrepreneurs or those with years of 
experience, everyone can benefit from this kind of information.
  There is no question that our economy looks different today than it 
did the last time SBA's ED programs were updated. In terms of 
technology alone, we have grown by leaps and bounds. This bill reflects 
that change. It makes sure small firms can use modern technology to the 
best of their advantage. With these services, startups will be able to 
build a solid business foundation. Meanwhile, established firms will be 
able to retool and improve their existing operations.
  As we continue to work our way towards recovery, small businesses 
will be on the front lines. It only makes sense to give them all the 
tools they need to succeed because with the technology of today they 
can help build prosperity for tomorrow. Mr. Thompson's bill gives them 
the resources to do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much 
time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 1807, the Educating Entrepreneurs 
through Today's Technology Act. Small businesses are the backbone of 
our economy, employing roughly half of United States workers. While our 
communities are experiencing high unemployment rates, the 
entrepreneurial spirit remains alive and well. For many underserved and 
rural areas, it is critical to have the opportunity and the ability to 
tap into resources that will foster further economic development and 
provide prospective entrepreneurs with the same access afforded to 
their suburban and urban counterparts.
  H.R. 1807 will allow third parties the opportunity to provide high-
quality tele-distance training through a competitive grants process 
administered by the SBA. The measure will provide for third-party 
vendors with experience in distance learning content and communications 
technology. It will employ online, satellite, video-connected, 
community-based organizations to distribute and conduct distance 
learning related to entrepreneurship, credit management, financial 
literacy, homeownership and Federal small business development 
programs.
  The Small Business Administration will ensure that the communications 
technology is distributed through all 50 States and U.S. territories to 
home-based businesses, Small Business Development Centers, Women's 
Business Centers, Veterans Business Centers and SBA district offices. 
Additionally, this measure would require that the online distance 
learning program provided for in title II of the bill, include the 
establishment of an online networking site where entrepreneurs and 
small business owners can go to interact with one another. The goal of 
this networking site is to facilitate the exchange of peer-to-peer 
technical assistance.

                              {time}  1645

  This will allow for prospective and established entrepreneurs and 
small business owners to interact with each other to troubleshoot 
problems and share best practices for interacting with SBA, securing 
financing, navigating government regulations, and the slew of odds and 
ends that arise when getting a small business off the ground. There is 
no substitute for being able to fall back on lessons learned from 
experience, and peer to peer will arm current and prospective 
entrepreneurs with this priceless information from individuals who have 
been there before.
  Mr. Speaker, for many entrepreneurs across the country, in order to 
access SBA and Small Business Development Centers they have to drive 
long distances. In my rural district, we have learned to use our 
limited resources wisely, and this can also be said for rural and 
underserved communities across the Nation.
  This measure recognizes a one-size-fits-all textbook approach to 
addressing entrepreneurial concerns is seldom the solution. Passage of 
this measure will empower these very entrepreneurs to navigate the many 
hurdles facing emerging businesses.
  I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1807 and continue 
the House's commitment to our Nation's entrepreneurs.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1807, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________