[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 15 (Monday, April 18, 2005)]
[Page 606]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7886--Small Business Week, 2005

 April 14, 2005

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    America's economy is the most prosperous in the world, and the small 
business sector is one of its great strengths. During Small Business 
Week, we honor small business owners and workers, and we reaffirm our 
commitment to keeping America the best place in the world to do 
business.
    Our economy is strong and growing stronger. More Americans are 
working today than ever before. The unemployment rate is lower than the 
average rate of the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's. Homeownership is at a 
record high. Family incomes are rising. Small businesses are at the 
heart of this growth, creating most new private-sector jobs in our 
economy and helping our citizens succeed.
    My Administration is committed to keeping small businesses vibrant 
and strong. We provided tax relief and streamlined tax reporting 
requirements for small businesses. We are working to reduce the burden 
of unnecessary regulation and excessive litigation. We are working to 
make health care more available and affordable. We are opening up 
markets for U.S. products through free trade agreements and by enforcing 
existing trade laws. And we have promoted a culture of ownership so that 
more people can own their own homes and start their own businesses.
    As small business owners and employees add to the vitality of our 
economy, they also inspire others to realize the full promise of our 
Nation. I join all Americans in celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit 
and hard work of our small business owners and employees.
     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 April 24 through April 
30, 2005, as Small Business Week. I call upon all the people of the 
United States to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, 
activities, and programs that celebrate the achievements of small 
business owners and their employees and encourage and foster the 
development of new small businesses.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day 
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
ninth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:12 a.m., April 15, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 
18.