[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12595]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2006

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the goals and 
ideals of National Entrepreneurship Week. As you are well aware, 
businesses today face global competition at an unprecedented level. 
Outsourcing, off-shoring, and supply-chaining have opened new avenues 
to maximizing profit, but also pose dangers to local companies and 
their employees. The impact can be felt all over the country. It is 
important that we recognize the critical role entrepreneurship plays in 
sustaining an innovation driven economy.
  The lifestyle and economic success we enjoy as a Nation are in large 
part the result of successfully leveraged technologies by some of our 
most creative thinkers in commerce. Our natural advantages as an 
economic superpower are waning, and we must commit to maintaining our 
leadership role in the global economy. This means continued support of 
7(a) small business loans, modernizing and making permanent the tax 
credits for research and development, and adequately funding the Small 
Business Administration. We must also recognize the need for educating 
our next generation of innovators. Along with teaching math, science, 
and engineering skills, teaching entrepreneurship to the next 
generation of leaders is one of the best investments we can make in our 
economic future.
  Entrepreneurship programs and research offer the knowledge to grow 
pioneering ventures that provide jobs and contribute to development. A 
systemic improvement in these areas also makes for better informed 
policy makers, investors, and support organizations that can better 
create an environment to foster innovation and entrepreneurial success.
  America has prospered when it has led, particularly in the fields of 
business and science. I believe we are at a ``Sputnik'' moment, and 
need to rise to the challenge of new and changing global landscape. It 
is vital that we do so with creativity and imagination.

                          ____________________