[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 60101-60102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24465]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 25, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 60101]]


                Proclamation 7596 of September 20, 2002

                
Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Entrepreneurs help make America strong and are 
                essential to our economic success. Their talent, skill, 
                and hard work have helped sustain our Nation since its 
                founding; and their disciplined work ethic and capacity 
                for innovation reflect the true character of our 
                country. During Minority Enterprise Development Week, 
                we celebrate our more than 3 million minority- owned 
                businesses, and we recognize the important 
                contributions they make to the United States of 
                America.

                To promote prosperity in our Nation, Government must 
                help create an environment where innovative, 
                hardworking, and determined individuals have the 
                opportunity to fully participate and succeed in our 
                economy. Last year's tax relief initiative, including 
                the repeal of the ``Death Tax,'' was an important part 
                of developing an enhanced business climate in America. 
                And this year, I signed two pieces of legislation into 
                law that will promote growth. The Trade Act of 2002 
                gives me new Trade Promotion Authority that will help 
                boost our economy, create new jobs, and provide America 
                with the opportunity to participate in new and emerging 
                international markets. And the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
                2002 will improve business practices by creating tough 
                corporate responsibility laws that will help expose and 
                punish acts of corruption and protect small investors. 
                These vital initiatives will benefit minority business 
                enterprises and help these important job creators 
                compete fully and fairly in the global economy.

                My Administration, through the efforts of the 
                Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development 
                Agency (MBDA) and the Small Business Administration 
                (SBA), is committed to promoting the growth of minority 
                businesses. In FY 2001, the MBDA assisted minority 
                businesses in gaining access to $1.6 billion in 
                contracts. In addition, last year the SBA offered 
                assistance to more than 1 million small business 
                owners, and continues to play a major role in our 
                Nation's disaster relief efforts by making low-interest 
                recovery loans available to Americans. The important 
                efforts of the MBDA and SBA help businesses build 
                entrepreneurial opportunity for all.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim September 22 through 
                September 28, 2002, as Minority Enterprise Development 
                Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week 
                with appropriate observances, ceremonies, and 
                activities, and to recognize the countless 
                contributions of our Nation's minority enterprises.

[[Page 60102]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-24465
Filed 9-24-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P