Small Business Week, 2001

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Proclamation 7433 of May 4, 2001

Small Business Week, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Small business owners who work long hours, juggling
family and career responsibilities and serving as
community volunteers, are integral to our country's
prosperity and to the vibrancy of our communities.
These entrepreneurs are fundamental to our economy.
Through the opportunities offered by the men and women
who own and operate our Nation's 25.5 million small
businesses, many of our citizens are able to pursue
their dreams of a better life.

Federal, State, and local governments can help our
small business owners by creating an environment in
which the American spirit flourishes, an environment
that promotes innovation, risk-taking, and equal
opportunity. My Administration is working for lower
taxes, reasonable regulations, and a reduction of
tariffs and other barriers to free trade that will
increase the competitive strength of our small business
sector. Education reforms also will ensure that our
young people are prepared to enter the global
marketplace and small businesses will have the needed
pool of talent.

Many of America's entrepreneurs risk everything to make
their businesses successful. They are leaders of
innovation, and their efforts create a wellspring of
new technology, new products, and improved business
processes. One of my priorities as President is to
encourage that entrepreneurial spirit, and to see that
it encompasses all Americans. To that end, we have
instituted the New Freedom Initiative, which includes a
component to help small businesses better serve
customers with disabilities and to hire more people
with disabilities. Also, my Administration supports the
Drug Free Workplace Program, to help small businesses
develop employee education programs and company drug
policies. These are examples of our commitment to the
ideal that the role of our Government is not to create
business barriers, but to help our citizens overcome
them.

America's small business owners and their employees
represent more than half of the private workforce.
These entrepreneurs, who create more than 75 percent of
the net new jobs nationwide and generate more than 50
percent of the Nation's gross domestic product, and the
employees who work in small businesses, deserve our
thanks. We salute them by observing Small Business
Week.

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 May 6 through 12, 2001, as
Small Business Week. I urge all Americans to join in
observing this week with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
one, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.

(Presidential Sig.)B