President George W. Bush praised America's small business owners and employees, proclaiming the week of April 22-28 as a time to recognize "their important role in ensuring that America remains the economic leader of the world."
The President's proclamation was issued on the eve of the U.S. Small Business Administration's observance of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C. (April 23-24), which will honor the nation's most outstanding entrepreneurs, and culminate with the selection of the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2007 from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
"Every day, our nation's small businesses help enhance the lives of our citizens and lead the way in an economy distinguished by low unemployment, sustained job creation, and one of the fastest growth rates of any major industrialized nation," the President said in his proclamation. "Small businesses are the lifeblood of cities and towns across the country, and we salute small business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees for enhancing our communities and expanding opportunities for all. The hard work and ingenuity of our nation's small business men and women are helping to sustain America's economic strength.
"To help extend our Nation's prosperity, my Administration is committed to continuing the progrowth economic policies that encourage enterprise and make America the best place in the world to do business," President Bush said. "Our economy has created more than 7 million new jobs since major tax relief was enacted in 2003, and we are working to keep taxes low to help small businesses continue to expand. We are taking steps to make health care more affordable and available for small business owners and employees by encouraging Health Savings Accounts, supporting Association Health Plans legislation, and proposing a standard tax deduction for health insurance.
"My Administration is also committed to ensuring that small businesses can compete in the global economy. By continuing to expand trade, we can open new markets for American products, lower prices for consumers, and create better American jobs."
The full text of the President's National Small Business Week proclamation can be found at: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070419-6.html.
During SBA's observance of National Small Business Week, more than 100 outstanding small business owners from around the country will be honored at award events that will focus on the achievements of America's top entrepreneurs. The two-day conference will focus on small business accomplishments, including disaster recovery, federal contract procurement and entrepreneurial success.
Four major award events will take place, culminating Tuesday with the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year. For more information about SBA's observance of National Small Business Week, and for a complete list of all of the State Small Business Persons of the Year, visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/sbw.
"The state and regional winners who will be a part of this event personify the entrepreneurial spirit that is vital to the growth of the American economy," said SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston. "They are an innovative and diverse group involved in technology, manufacturing, retail, construction, professional services and a host of other industries. We are proud to have them here in Washington, and we are proud to have helped many of them achieve their business success."
Besides naming the National Small Business Person of the Year and two runners-up, SBA will honor Small Business Champion Award winners, people who have distinguished themselves by their advocacy on behalf of women-owned, minority-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. Champion Awards will go to a small business journalist, financial services and home-based business representative who contribute to small business development, as well as to a small business exporter, young entrepreneur and family-owned business. The National SCORE Chapter of the Year will also be honored.
The Phoenix Awards will recognize a public official, a business owner and volunteers whose efforts have enabled their businesses or communities to recover successfully from a disaster. Several financial institutions will receive Lender Awards for their efforts in using SBA loan programs to support the growth of small businesses.
SBA will also award a number of honors in the area of federal contracting, including the National Prime Contractor of the Year and the National Subcontractor of the Year. Other procurement awards will recognize government officials and prime contractors who have excelled at involving small businesses and women-owned small businesses in their procurements.
Washington - April 20, 2007
Release Number: 07-21
Contact: Dennis Byrne, (202) 205-6567
Information courtesy of the Small Business Administration.
