Small Business Week, 2009

Proclamation 8382 of May 15, 2009

Small Business Week, 2009

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The entrepreneurial spirit lies at the core of our
Nation's economy and identity. If Americans with good
ideas can work hard, put their plan to the test, and
succeed, the American economy will continue to create
jobs and lead the world in innovation and productivity.
During National Small Business Week, we honor the
entrepreneurs and small business owners who are the
engine of our economy. Their ingenuity and hard work
are critical to our Nation's prosperity.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of cities and towns
across the country. Over the last decade, small
businesses created 70 percent of new jobs, and they are
responsible for half of all jobs in the private sector.
They also help enhance the lives of our citizens by
improving our quality of life and creating personal
wealth. Small businesses will lead the way to
prosperity, particularly in today's challenging
economic environment.

My Administration is committed to economic policies
that encourage enterprise and make America the best
place in the world to do business. To support the free
flow of credit, I have worked to increase loan
guarantees, reduce borrowing fees, quicken loan
processing, and unlock the secondary markets that
support small business lending, among other measures. I
also support tax policies that promote investment in
small businesses, as well as health care reform that
will help these businesses provide more workers with
quality health care services.

Our Nation's success depends on America's small
businesses and entrepreneurs. Their contributions are
necessary to rebuild our economy so that it once again
offers the opportunity to succeed to all who seek it.
This week we thank small business owners,
entrepreneurs, and employees for helping America
achieve that promise.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 17 through May 23, 2009,
as National Small Business Week. I call upon Government
officials, industry leaders, and advocates across the
Nation to encourage our citizens to celebrate the
achievements of small business owners and encourage the
creation of new businesses.

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