Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004

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Part III

The President

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Proclamation 7807--Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004

Proclamation 7808--To Modify the Generalized System of Preferences, and
For Other Purposes

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7807 of September 4, 2004

Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Minority businesses are a key component of the American
economy and reflect the values that make our country
strong. They create opportunities for workers, provide
goods and services to consumers, and strengthen our
communities. During Minority Enterprise Development
Week, we celebrate the achievements of minority
businesses and emphasize our commitment to creating an
environment in which these entrepreneurs can succeed.

All of America benefits from the strong and vibrant
entrepreneurial spirit of our small business owners. By
reducing taxes, encouraging investment, and removing
obstacles to growth, my Administration has helped
American businesses thrive and create nearly 1.7
million new jobs since August 2003. In addition, the
number of Small Business Administration loans to
minorities increased by 40 percent last year to a 50-
year record level. And my fiscal year 2005 budget
request includes a 21 percent increase in funding for
the Department of Commerce's Minority Business
Development Agency, the largest increase in more than a
decade.

To help provide sustainable outreach to minority
enterprises, my Administration is working with the
National Urban League to create an entrepreneurship
network to further expand minority business ownership.
With the help of government agencies, the private
sector, and faith-based and community organizations,
this network will include one-stop centers for business
training, counseling, financing, and contracting and
will focus resources toward facilitating economic
growth and enterprise in historically neglected areas.

More minorities own small businesses than ever before.
That is good for our citizens and good for our country.
Together, we can create an environment where
entrepreneurs can flourish and everyone can realize the
American Dream.

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 5 through
September 11, 2004, as Minority Enterprise Development
Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week
with appropriate programs, 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
fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two
thousand four, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-ninth.

(Presidential Sig.)B