[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15617]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of 
Small Business Saturday this past weekend, a day to support small 
businesses and celebrate the role that they play in our communities. 
This year, Small Business Saturday saw a record 112 million shoppers, a 
number which highlights the effectiveness of this movement across the 
United States.
  Small businesses have proven time and time again that they are the 
backbone of a strong economy. In Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional 
District, which I am proud to represent, small businesses provide 
valuable services, ranging from construction and manufacturing to 
health care and social assistance, bettering the lives of residents and 
consumers.
  Academic institutions also play an important role in growing small 
businesses. For example, Penn State University introduced a business 
preaccelerator this year, known as the Happy Valley Launchbox. This 
unique venture is a signature program of the Invent Penn State 
initiative, and I am confident it will serve as a platform for 
entrepreneurship and innovation.
  I look forward to the continued success of small businesses both in 
Pennsylvania and across the United States, and I remain grateful for 
their contribution to our Nation's economy.

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