Small Business Week, 2002

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7555 of May 3, 2002

Small Business Week, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The strength of our economy is built on the creativity
and entrepreneurship of our people. Those who own and
operate our Nation's 25 million small businesses make a
vital contribution to our prosperity through their
ongoing work to create new technologies, products, and
services. These hardworking men and women and their
employees define the American spirit through their
innovation, dedication, and determination.

The tragedy of September 11, 2001, greatly affected our
Nation and our economy; but our economy is recovering
and remains fundamentally sound. In the aftermath of
the terrorist attacks, the business community rose to
this challenge by volunteering their time and services
to help with the relief and rebuilding efforts in New
York City and Washington, D.C. This compassionate
spirit demonstrated America's true character.

To help businesses recover from September 11, my
Administration has made more than $520 million in
disaster loans available to business owners nationwide.
I also remain committed to a domestic policy that
stimulates economic growth, boosts consumer purchasing
power, and creates a level playing field. Our efforts
to lower taxes, enact reasonable regulations, and
reduce tariffs and other barriers to free trade will
increase the competitive position of our small
businesses. To further encourage economic growth, I
recently signed into law the Job Creation and Worker
Assistance Act of 2002. The Act helps to create more
jobs across our country by providing tax incentives for
companies to expand and create jobs by investing in
facilities and equipment. This action will lead to more
opportunities in manufacturing, high-tech sectors, and
our small businesses. I am also committed to achieve a
permanent repeal of the death tax and the permanent
extension of tax relief to help ensure the strength and
survival of small businesses.

America's small business owners represent more than 99
percent of all employers and their businesses employ
more than half of the private work force. These
entrepreneurs who create more than 66 percent of the
new jobs nationwide and generate more than 50 percent
of the Nation's gross domestic product growth are
critical to our country's prosperity and the well-being
of our communities. We salute these employers by
celebrating Small Business Week and recognizing their
contributions to all Americans.

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 5 through May 11, 2002,
as Small Business Week. I call on all Americans to
observe this week with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs that celebrate the
achievements of small business owners and encourage and
foster the development of new enterprises.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B