[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 27205]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 THE EXPLORING FREE ENTERPRISE PROGRAM

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, over the past few years 
the U.S. Senate has acted to stimulate the American economy. This 
spring we passed an economic stimulus package to provide meaningful tax 
relief for businesses and assistance for unemployed workers to soften 
the blow of difficult economic times. We have also worked to approve 
trade agreements that ensure a free and fair trade market for U.S. 
businesses.
  As we work on these measures to improve our economy today, it is 
equally important to ensure that America's economy remains strong for 
the next generation as well.
  I recently joined with Chadron State College to establish the 
Exploring Free Enterprise program. This program will focus on teaching 
students in elementary, middle and high school the principles of market 
economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success and business 
ethics.
  Entrepreneurship is a particularly important skill in Nebraska. A 
revitalized rural economy requires individuals who are able to seize 
upon openings in the marketplace and expand employment opportunities.
  Business ethics is another area of great importance. I am proud to be 
a part of a program that will teach our future leaders that being 
honest is even more important than making money.
  In 2002 I was honored to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit 
of Enterprise award. The Exploring Free Enterprise program seeks to 
spread that spirit of enterprise to a new generation of young business 
leaders and entrepreneurs. It is their entrepreneurial spirit that will 
drive America's economic engine in a competitive world economy.
  I would like to thank Chadron State College for the opportunity to 
participate in this program and especially Dr. Rick Koza, the director 
of the program, and Dr. Tom Krepel, president Chadron State College, 
for their leadership.
  Together, our investment in education recognizes that while children 
may only be 20 percent of our population, that they are 100 percent of 
our future.

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