For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 23, 2002
Minority Enterprise Development Week, 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
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