[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 176 (Wednesday, October 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 431--RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 AS 
               ``NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH''

  Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Risch, Ms. Hirono, Ms. 
Collins, Mr. Markey, Mr. Rubio, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cardin, 
Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Cramer, Mr. 
Manchin, Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Braun, Mr. Kelly, Mr. 
Sullivan, Mr. Booker, Mr. Hoeven, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Daines, Mr. Casey, Mr. 
Marshall, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Coons, Mr. Barrasso, Ms. 
Duckworth, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Britt, 
Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Peters, 
Mr. Budd, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Young, Mr. Welch, Mr. Scott of Florida, 
Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Warner, Mr. Fetterman, and Ms. Butler) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 431

       Whereas there are more than 12,000,000 women-owned 
     businesses in the United States;
       Whereas women-owned businesses generate $1,800,000,000,000 
     in total revenue;
       Whereas women-owned businesses employ more than 9,230,000 
     workers;
       Whereas 38 percent of small businesses are women-owned;
       Whereas women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in 
     Federal contracting, mentorship, and access to capital; and
       Whereas the celebration of ``National Women's Small 
     Business Month'' would honor the efforts of women business 
     owners and women entrepreneurs and recognize the significance 
     of the contributions of these business owners and 
     entrepreneurs to the small business community: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the month of October 2023 as ``National 
     Women's Small Business Month'';
       (2) honors the vital role of women small business owners 
     and women entrepreneurs in the United States during 
     ``National Women's Small Business Month'';
       (3) recognizes the significant contributions of women small 
     business owners and women entrepreneurs to the small business 
     community;
       (4) supports and encourages young women entrepreneurs to 
     pursue their passions and create more start-up businesses;
       (5) recognizes the importance of creating policies that 
     promote a business-friendly environment for small business 
     owners that is free of unnecessary and burdensome regulations 
     and red tape; and
       (6) supports efforts to--
       (A) encourage consumers to shop locally; and
       (B) increase awareness of the value of locally-owned small 
     businesses and the impact of women-owned small businesses on 
     the economy of the United States.

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