[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15700]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE DESIGNATION OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE AS AN 
           ADVANTAGE-WEST CERTIFIED ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Eastern 
Band of Cherokee in Cherokee, North Carolina on becoming a Certified 
Entrepreneurial Community by the AdvantageWest Economic Development 
Group. AdvantageWest, an economic development commission which serves 
23 Western North Carolina counties, created the ``Certified 
Entrepreneurial Community Program'' to train local communities to 
encourage small business start-ups in the mountain region and to help 
such businesses thrive.
  The Eastern Band of Cherokee, North Carolina has an over 11,000-year 
history rich with culture, arts, and a heritage of magnificent 
storytelling. Being designated as a Certified Entrepreneurial Community 
is just one example of the continuation of the remarkable history, and 
a tribute to the vision of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. The focus on 
youth and education as integral components of their Certified 
Entrepreneurial Community vision ensures that the future leaders of the 
community will have the tools to continue their strong legacy.
  The Certification, developed by the AdvantageWest Center for Rural 
Entrepreneurship Institute, contains a strict set of guidelines that 
highlight a community's enthusiasm and readiness to support 
entrepreneurship and small business. While several communities 
throughout Western North Carolina have become certified as 
entrepreneurial communities, the Eastern Band of Cherokee is the first 
nation to receive this designation. This designation showcases the 
Eastern Band of Cherokee's foresight in creating and fostering an 
environment in which prosperity can be achieved. As a Certified 
Entrepreneurial Community, the Eastern Band will build upon the success 
of its marketing campaign to further promote the potential of its 
people to the United States and abroad.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to celebrate this 
remarkable honor bestowed on The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in 
Cherokee, North Carolina, and their commitment to the future of their 
people. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating their 
outstanding achievement.

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