[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 39 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Page 1593]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7596--Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2002

September 20, 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.
    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.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., September 24, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on September 21, and it was published in the Federal Register 
on September 25.