National Entrepreneurship Week, 2009

Proclamation 8454 of November 19, 2009

National Entrepreneurship Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout our history, American entrepreneurs have
been an effective force for innovation at home and
around the world. From the airplane to the Internet
search engine to new tractors, they have pioneered
technologies, products, and processes that have
improved lives and shaped the course of our future.
Today, they are fueling our economy with their
creativity, tireless work ethic, and risk-taking
spirit. During National Entrepreneurship Week, we renew
our commitment to supporting American entrepreneurs,
including social entrepreneurs, who are spreading
opportunity and prosperity across our Nation.

Entrepreneurs are the engine of job creation in
America, generating millions of good jobs. Many begin
with nothing more than a good idea, and translate new
products and services into vibrant businesses. To
secure our Nation's future prosperity, we must ensure
that our entrepreneurs have the tools they need to
survive and thrive.

My Administration is working to provide opportunities
and conditions for entrepreneurs to succeed. We are
supporting the flow of credit by increasing loan
guarantees and reducing borrowing fees to help more
Americans start businesses. We also made the Research
and Experimentation Tax Credit permanent to help
burgeoning companies afford the high costs of
developing new products and technologies. The recently
formed Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the
Department of Commerce is building on these efforts
with new policies and initiatives to unleash creativity
and innovation, as well as turn inspired ideas into new
employment-generating businesses.

Our Nation led the world's economies in the 20th
century because we led the world in innovation. To
strengthen our position in the 21st century, we must
rededicate ourselves to harnessing the creative spirit
that has made America great.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 16 through
November 22, 2009, as National Entrepreneurship Week. I
call upon all Americans to recognize the important
contributions of entrepreneurs to our economy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.