Small Business Week, 2006

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7990 of March 23, 2006

Small Business Week, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The entrepreneurial spirit of America is robust and
strong, and small businesses are thriving throughout
our great Nation. The opportunity to own a business is
an important part of the American dream. During Small
Business Week, we celebrate small business owners and
employees who are willing to take risks and work hard
in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their
families.

Our economy has created almost 5 million jobs since
August 2003. Small businesses create most new jobs in
our country, and small businesses have been a driving
force behind America's tremendous economic growth and
job creation. By adopting sound economic policies that
help small businesses continue to grow and expand, we
will keep our economy moving forward and create more
jobs for American workers.

My Administration remains committed to fostering an
environment where innovation succeeds and small
businesses can flourish. We are working with the
Congress to make the tax relief permanent and to pass
Association Health Plans to allow small businesses to
join together and buy insurance at the same discounts
big businesses receive. We are encouraging small
business owners and employees to consider health
savings accounts, which help small businesses provide
health insurance for their workers and give consumers
greater flexibility in how they spend their dollars. We
also are continuing to work to open new markets for
American products and services abroad. Putting a stop
to the frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of
doing business will further help small businesses
enhance the quality of life for their employees and
their communities.

During Small Business Week, and throughout the year, we
applaud the men and women who own and operate small
businesses and spur economic growth. Through their
entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence,
they help ensure that America remains a place where
dreams are realized.

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 April 9 through April 15,
2006, as Small Business Week. I call upon the people of
the United States to observe this week with appropriate
ceremonies, activities, and programs that celebrate the
achievements of small business owners and their
employees and encourage the development of new small
businesses.

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

(Presidential Sig.)B