[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 498--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
  WEEK OF APRIL 29 THROUGH MAY 5, 2018, AS ``NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS 
 WEEK'' WHILE COMMENDING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF SMALL BUSINESS 
    OWNERS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THEIR 
                              COMMUNITIES

  Mr. RISCH (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Coons, Mrs. 
Ernst, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
Young, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Booker, Mr. Scott, and Ms. 
Heitkamp) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 498

       Whereas 2018 marks the 55th anniversary of ``National Small 
     Business Week'';
       Whereas there are nearly 30,000,000 small businesses in the 
     United States;
       Whereas 2 of every 3 new jobs are created by small 
     businesses;
       Whereas small businesses in the United States--
       (1) employ nearly \1/2\ of the workforce in the United 
     States;
       (2) comprise 99.7 percent of all employers in the United 
     States;
       (3) employ veterans, as 9.1 percent of all small business 
     owners served in the Armed Forces;
       (4) produce \1/3\ of exported goods in the United States; 
     and
       (5) account for nearly \1/2\ of private sector output;
       Whereas, on July 30, 1953, Congress created the Small 
     Business Administration to aid, counsel, assist, and protect 
     the small business community;
       Whereas, in its 54 years of existence, the Small Business 
     Administration has--
       (1) aided countless people in the United States in 
     attaining their entrepreneurial dream;
       (2) preserved and advanced the interests of small 
     businesses through advocacy; and
       (3) ensured fairness in the contracting process of the 
     Federal Government; and
       Whereas the President designated the week of April 29 
     through May 5, 2018, as ``National Small Business Week'': 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of the week of April 29 
     through May 5, 2018, as ``National Small Business Week'';
       (2) celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the small 
     business owners of the United States;
       (3) understands the importance of creating a small business 
     climate that allows for sustained, entrepreneurial success;
       (4) celebrates the invaluable contributions small 
     businesses make to the United States as the backbone of the 
     economy of the United States; and
       (5) supports increasing consumer awareness of the value and 
     opportunity small businesses bring to their local 
     communities.

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