[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4899]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              232ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, April 5th marked the 232nd 
anniversary of the founding of the first Chamber of Commerce in the 
United States. A full eight years before the colonies declared their 
``independence'' from English rule, New York City business owners 
banded together to create a unified voice. Today, there are thousands 
of local Chambers from Anchorage, Alaska to Zumbrota, Minnesota.
  Over the past eight years, I have had to honor to work with these 
grassroots organizations on a wide variety of issues. Whether its been 
estate tax relief or permanent normalized trade with China, Minnesota's 
chambers have been there, working for Minnesota's job providers, every 
step of the way. That is why I was so proud to receive the Chamber's 
Spirit of Enterprise award earlier this year.
  When Washington talks about our strong economy, debating what to do 
with the billions in federal surplus dollars, it sometimes appears as 
though Congress wants to take all the credit. Policy makers focus on 
the innovations, the increased productivity, the ``globalization'' of 
today's marketplace as proof of their good work. I don't need to remind 
my colleagues that the only thing Government can do is to remove the 
barriers to competition and provide a level playing field. The rest is 
a direct result of the entrepreneurial spirit of the men and women 
who've sacrificed to build businesses around Minnesota and around the 
country. Employers and employees, working hand in hand and with their 
chamber of commerce, have helped to turn this nation around.
  So Mr. President, while our chamber members are taking care of 
business back home, we must recognize they are looking to the Congress 
for leadership to stem the tide of burdensome regulations and 
oppressive taxes. I believe working together, we can create an 
environment where all can thrive. And as we mark the anniversary of the 
first chamber of commerce, let us celebrate the contributions of all 
our chambers.

                          ____________________