[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 54737-54738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20550]



[[Page 54735]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 7807--Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004



Proclamation 7808--To Modify the Generalized System of Preferences, and 
For Other Purposes
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 174 / Thursday, September 9, 2004 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 54737]]

                Proclamation 7807 of September 4, 2004

                
Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Minority businesses are a key component of the American 
                economy and reflect the values that make our country 
                strong. They create opportunities for workers, provide 
                goods and services to consumers, and strengthen our 
                communities. During Minority Enterprise Development 
                Week, we celebrate the achievements of minority 
                businesses and emphasize our commitment to creating an 
                environment in which these entrepreneurs can succeed.

                All of America benefits from the strong and vibrant 
                entrepreneurial spirit of our small business owners. By 
                reducing taxes, encouraging investment, and removing 
                obstacles to growth, my Administration has helped 
                American businesses thrive and create nearly 1.7 
                million new jobs since August 2003. In addition, the 
                number of Small Business Administration loans to 
                minorities increased by 40 percent last year to a 50-
                year record level. And my fiscal year 2005 budget 
                request includes a 21 percent increase in funding for 
                the Department of Commerce's Minority Business 
                Development Agency, the largest increase in more than a 
                decade.

                To help provide sustainable outreach to minority 
                enterprises, my Administration is working with the 
                National Urban League to create an entrepreneurship 
                network to further expand minority business ownership. 
                With the help of government agencies, the private 
                sector, and faith-based and community organizations, 
                this network will include one-stop centers for business 
                training, counseling, financing, and contracting and 
                will focus resources toward facilitating economic 
                growth and enterprise in historically neglected areas.

                More minorities own small businesses than ever before. 
                That is good for our citizens and good for our country. 
                Together, we can create an environment where 
                entrepreneurs can flourish and everyone can realize the 
                American Dream.

                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 5 through 
                September 11, 2004, as Minority Enterprise Development 
                Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week 
                with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities 
                and to recognize the countless contributions of our 
                Nation's minority enterprises.

[[Page 54738]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 04-20550
Filed 9-8-04; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P