[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7825]
[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, May 11, 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 Economic 
Development Group, 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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