[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE ASSOCIATION FOR ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NATHAN DEAL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the thousands of 
small businesses across the United States which, by definitional size, 
are classified as micro enterprises. More than one-half of the nation's 
economic engine is fueled by small businesses.
  Micro enterprise embraces strategic economic development relative to 
the smallest of the businesses, generally with five employees or less. 
Once called ``mom and pop'' businesses, they no longer equate to the 
folksy moniker. In many cases across rural America, the micro 
enterprises become capital for human development and poverty 
alleviation. It is documented and recognized that micro enterprises 
create jobs, generate income, build assets and enhance interpersonal 
skills among its owners and their employees.
  Micro enterprises utilize a valued conduit for financial training, 
business development and loans. Community Development Financial 
Institutions (CDFIs) earn this designation through rigorous Department 
of Treasury standards. The CDFIs interface with the men and women who 
have a dream of owning and growing a small business; it is they who 
extend credit and become de facto partners in entrepreneurial 
enterprises throughout the land.
  Micro enterprises and CDFIs also partner with foundations, community 
banks, regional banks, state economic development agencies, the Small 
Business Administration, the Federal Home Loan Bank and other like-
missioned federal agencies such as the Appalachian Regional Commission. 
As traditional working capital is beyond the financial reach of many, a 
unique collaboration steers these business entities toward success and 
self-sufficiency.
  The Association for Enterprise Opportunity strives to assist 
underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing and expanding 
businesses. As its national conference is held in May in Atlanta, the 
economic capital of the southeastern United States, I welcome them to 
my state.
  The host of the national conference is the Georgia Micro Enterprise 
Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in 
the economic lives of Georgians. The conference will celebrate the 
vision of micro enterprise success, and we, as Members of Congress 
applaud that success and commend the myriad venturous fibers which make 
our nation's great economic quilt as strong as ever.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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