[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 33 (Monday, August 23, 1999)]
[Page 1644]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business 
Development Act of 1999

August 17, 1999

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 1568, the ``Veterans 
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999.'' This bill 
will provide assistance to veterans who are entrepreneurs and especially 
to service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs, men and women who have 
sacrificed so much in the service of our country. By helping these 
American heroes to establish, maintain, and grow their own small 
businesses, we help to sustain our strong economy and express our 
gratitude for their service to America.
    This bill also includes several measures designed to cushion the 
impact on small businesses when their owners or essential employees who 
are reservists are ordered to active duty during military conflicts. By 
providing loans, loan payment deferrals, and technical and managerial 
assistance for these citizen soldiers, we can help ensure that they do 
not have to risk their livelihoods while they risk their lives.
    I do have a constitutional concern regarding the section of the bill 
that addresses the composition of the government corporation that will 
provide assistance to veterans in the formation and expansion of small 
businesses. This provision unjustifiably intrudes upon the President's 
constitutional authority and discretion to appoint executive officials, 
and, therefore, I will treat this provision as precatory.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
August 17, 1999.

Note: H.R. 1568, approved August 17, was assigned Public Law No. 106-50.