[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Pages 705-706]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7433--Small Business Week, 2001

 May 4, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Small business owners who work long hours, juggling family and 
career responsibilities and serving as community volunteers, are 
integral to our country's prosperity and

[[Page 706]]

to the vibrancy of our communities. These entrepreneurs are fundamental 
to our economy. Through the opportunities offered by the men and women 
who own and operate our Nation's 25.5 million small businesses, many of 
our citizens are able to pursue their dreams of a better life.
    Federal, State, and local governments can help our small business 
owners by creating an environment in which the American spirit 
flourishes, an environment that promotes innovation, risk-taking, and 
equal opportunity. My Administration is working for lower taxes, 
reasonable regulations, and a reduction of tariffs and other barriers to 
free trade that will increase the competitive strength of our small 
business sector. Education reforms also will ensure that our young 
people are prepared to enter the global marketplace and small businesses 
will have the needed pool of talent.
    Many of America's entrepreneurs risk everything to make their 
businesses successful. They are leaders of innovation, and their efforts 
create a wellspring of new technology, new products, and improved 
business processes. One of my priorities as President is to encourage 
that entrepreneurial spirit, and to see that it encompasses all 
Americans. To that end, we have instituted the New Freedom Initiative, 
which includes a component to help small businesses better serve 
customers with disabilities and to hire more people with disabilities. 
Also, my Administration supports the Drug Free Workplace Program, to 
help small businesses develop employee education programs and company 
drug policies. These are examples of our commitment to the ideal that 
the role of our Government is not to create business barriers, but to 
help our citizens overcome them.
    America's small business owners and their employees represent more 
than half of the private workforce. These entrepreneurs, who create more 
than 75 percent of the net new jobs nationwide and generate more than 50 
percent of the Nation's gross domestic product, and the employees who 
work in small businesses, deserve our thanks. We salute them by 
observing Small Business Week.
    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 May 6 through 12, 2001, as 
Small Business Week. I urge all Americans to join in observing this week 
with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of 
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., May 8, 2001]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on May 
9.