[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 12 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Pages 548-549]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7990--Small Business Week, 2006

March 23, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The entrepreneurial spirit of America is robust and strong, and 
small businesses are thriving throughout our great Nation. The 
opportunity to own a business is an important part of the American 
dream. During Small Business Week, we celebrate small business owners 
and employees who are willing to take risks and work hard in pursuit of 
a better life for themselves and their families.
    Our economy has created almost 5 million jobs since August 2003. 
Small businesses create most new jobs in our country, and small 
businesses have been a driving force behind America's tremendous 
economic growth and job creation. By adopting sound economic policies 
that help small businesses continue to grow and expand, we will keep our 
economy moving forward and create more jobs for American workers.
    My Administration remains committed to fostering an environment 
where innovation succeeds and small businesses can flourish. We are 
working with the Congress to make the tax relief permanent and to pass 
Association Health Plans to allow small businesses to join together and 
buy insurance at the same discounts big businesses receive. We are 
encouraging small business owners and employees to consider health 
savings accounts, which help small businesses provide health insurance 
for their workers and give consumers greater flexibility in how they 
spend their dollars. We also are continuing to work to open new markets 
for American products and services abroad. Putting a stop to the 
frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of doing business will further 
help small businesses enhance the quality of life for their employees 
and their communities.
    During Small Business Week, and throughout the year, we applaud the 
men and women who own and operate small businesses and spur economic 
growth. Through their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to 
excellence, they help ensure that America remains a place where dreams 
are realized.
    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 9 through April 15, 
2006, as Small Business Week. I call upon 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 the development of new small businesses.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third 
day of March, in

[[Page 549]]

the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the 
United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., March 27, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 
28.