[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E241-E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING AND THANKING AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men 
and women who are striving to realize the American dream and who will 
be integral in our economy's recovery. This week we are recognizing and 
thanking American small businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them.
  Entrepreneurs are a key component to our Nation's economy now more 
than ever. They are responsible for the creation of two-thirds of all 
new jobs each year, and their small businesses comprise more than 97 
percent of all employers in the United States--nearly 30 million 
businesses in all.
  Entrepreneurs are important for the entire nation, but in Nebraska 
they are vital. In the most recent report from the Small Business 
Administration, Nebraska has an estimated 163,077 small businesses 
which employed more than 50 percent of the non-farm private labor 
force, bringing in $6.7 billion in income. Quite simply, we need small 
businesses and entrepreneurs. They deserve our support and recognition 
as they work to rebuild our economy.

[[Page E242]]

  All too often there is a tendency to rely on the government to create 
wealth and prosperity when, in reality, these are created in the 
private sector by risk-taking entrepreneurial Americans with ideas, 
innovation, and their own hard work.

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