[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15856]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      RECOGNITION OF EXPO 2000, A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the Houston 
Minority Business Council and the other groups and individuals who are 
now preparing for ``EXPO 2000, a Business Opportunity Marketplace,'' to 
be held on August 31, 2000, in the George R. Brown Convention Center in 
Houston, Texas. This annual event is Texas' largest minority business 
trade fair and offers a meeting ground for corporations seeking to 
identify experienced minority entrepreneurs.
  Over the last decade, the number of minority owned businesses grew in 
the U.S. by an impressive 168 percent. These businesses generate half a 
trillion dollars in revenue and employ nearly four million workers. 
This success has been in large measure due to the efforts of groups 
like the Houston Minority Business Council and the dedicated 
individuals throughout Texas and this nation who seek to expand 
economic opportunities for all Americans.
  The EXPO has been an outstanding example of such efforts, and has 
opened the doors of the marketplace by successfully pairing minority 
business owners with representatives from more than 220 local and 
national companies. The event provides these minority entrepreneurs 
with direct marketing opportunities with corporations, government 
agencies and educational and financial institutions that need capable 
contractors to support their missions. The EXPO has produced real 
results, with two thirds of participants reporting having obtained 
contracts for as much as two million dollars within a year of the 
event.
  I have worked hard in the U.S. Senate to build upon efforts like this 
to expand Federal contracting opportunities to small and disadvantaged 
business entrepreneurs. I have helped lead the efforts to defend 
programs such as the 8 (a) Federal business development program, worked 
to curb the ``bundling'' of Federal contracts that hurt small 
businesses, and I have served as a champion of Small Business 
Development Centers, which assist small businesses in getting the 
capital and assistance needed to get started and expand.
  I again commend the organizers, supporters, and participants of EXPO 
2000. These fine men and women represent the best of Texas' 
entrepreneurial, hard-working and neighborly spirit. I wish them all 
much future success, and I look forward to continuing to work with them 
to ensure that all Americans share in the fruits of our economic 
prosperity.

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