[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12164-12165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 165--CONGRATULATING THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 
   CENTERS OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ON THEIR 25 YEARS OF 
      SERVICE TO AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENTREPRENEURS

  Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Vitter, Ms. 
Landrieu, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Burns, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Bayh, and Mr. Lieberman) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:

                              S. Res. 165

       Whereas in 1980, Congress established the Small Business 
     Development Center program to deliver management and 
     technical assistance counseling and provide educational 
     programs to prospective and existing small business owners;
       Whereas over the last 25 years, the Small Business 
     Development Center network counseled and trained more than 
     11,000,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs, helping 
     small businesses start and grow and create jobs in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the Small Business Development Centers exemplify 
     the partnership between private sector institutions of higher 
     education and Government, working together to support small 
     businesses and entrepreneurship;
       Whereas the Small Business Development Centers have been a 
     critical partner in the start-up and growth of the Nation's 
     small businesses ;
       Whereas in 2004, the Small Business Development Centers 
     counseled and trained approximately 750,000 new and existing 
     small businesses;
       Whereas the Small Business Development Centers deliver 
     specialized assistance through a network of 63 lead centers 
     and more than 1,100 service locations, in all 50 States, the 
     District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     and American Samoa;
       Whereas the Small Business Development Centers provide 
     assistance tailored to the local community and the needs of 
     the client, including counseling and training on financial 
     management, marketing, production and organization, 
     international trade assistance, procurement assistance, 
     venture capital formation, and rural development, among other 
     services that improve the economic environment in which small 
     businesses compete;

[[Page 12165]]

       Whereas in 2003, the Small Business Development Center's 
     in-depth counseling helped small businesses generate nearly 
     $6,000,000,000 in revenues and save an additional 
     $7,000,000,000 in sales;
       Whereas in 2003, the Small Business Development Centers 
     helped create and retain over 163,000 jobs across the United 
     States; and
       Whereas the Small Business Development Centers proudly 
     celebrate 25 years of service to America's small business 
     owners and entrepreneurs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Small Business Development Centers of 
     the Small Business Administration on their 25 years of 
     service to America's small business owners and entrepreneurs;
       (2) recognizes their service in helping America's small 
     businesses start, grow, and flourish; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an 
     enrolled copy of this resolution to the Association for Small 
     Business Development Centers for appropriate display.

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a Senate 
resolution that honors the Small Business Administration's (SBA's) 
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) on their tremendous service 
and dedication to America's small businesses and entrepreneurs over the 
past 25 years.
  Small businesses form a solid foundation for economic growth and job 
creation. The successes of our Nation's 25 million small businesses 
have helped create nearly three-quarters of all new jobs and produce 50 
percent of our country's Gross Domestic Product.
  As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, I understand that the spirit of entrepreneurs, to 
explore beyond their limits, is the engine driving our economy. Each 
year 3 to 4 million new businesses open their doors to the marketplace 
and one in 25 adult Americans takes the steps to start a business. 
Clearly, it is essential we ensure that every American has the 
necessary resources available to start, grow and develop a business.
  Among the most valuable assets for any entrepreneur is the SBA's 
Small Business Development Center program. Over the past 25 years, the 
SBDCs have provided unique one-on-one counseling to over 11 million 
Americans helping new business start-ups, sustain struggling firms, and 
expand growth for existing firms.
  Through a network of 63 lead centers and more than 1,100 service 
locations, the SBDCs deliver their services in all 50 States, as well 
as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and 
American Samoa. From financial management, to marketing to procurement 
assistance, the SBDCs tailor their counseling and training to the needs 
of the client in each local community.
  In addition, the SBDCs have an extraordinary record of excellence. 
Having counseled and trained more than 50,000 business owners and 
entrepreneurs in 1980, today they counsel and train almost three-
quarters of a million start-ups and existing small businesses annually. 
Moreover, in 2003, the SBDCs helped create and retain over 163,000 jobs 
across America.
  In 2004 alone, the SBDCs in my home State of Maine assisted 
entrepreneurs in obtaining over $16 million in loans, helped create and 
retain over 700 jobs, counseled nearly 3,000 clients and held 200 
training events. Just as there's no question that small businesses are 
the lifeblood of our economy, SBDCs are truly the lifeline for 
entrepreneurs.
  As we celebrate the SBDCs 25th Anniversary, we must reaffirm our 
commitment to foster an environment that is favorable to economic 
growth and development for new and growing firms. On that note, the 36 
percent cut in the SBA's budget over the last 5 years has been a step 
in the wrong direction, and it is a misjudgement I hope Congress will 
reverse. I will continue to fight to ensure that the SBA and its 
resource partners like the SBDCs obtain the valuable resources they 
deserve.
  The challenges of starting a new business are surpassed only by the 
determination and ingenuity of America's entrepreneurs. By 
strengthening the SBA's core programs such as the SBDC program, we can 
encourage job growth and provide American small businesses an even 
greater opportunity to thrive and prosper.
  Today I urge my colleagues to show their support for the Small 
Business Development Center program during their silver anniversary and 
support this Resolution. Small Business Development Centers are a 
critical component to strengthening our Nation's economy and creating 
American jobs, and they clearly deserve our accolades and recognition.

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