Small Business Week, 2010

Proclamation 8525 of May 20, 2010

Small Business Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Small business owners embody the spirit of
entrepreneurship and strong work ethic that lie at the
heart of the American dream. They are the backbone of
our Nation's economy, they employ tens of millions of
workers, and, in the past 15 years, they have created
the majority of new private sector jobs. During Small
Business Week, we reaffirm our support for America's
small businesses and celebrate the proud tradition of
private enterprise they represent.

Our Nation is still emerging from one of the worst
recessions in our history, and small businesses were
among the hardest hit. From mom-and-pop stores to high
tech start-ups, countless small businesses have been
forced to lay off employees or shut their doors
entirely. In these difficult times, we must do all we
can to help these firms recover from the recession and
put Americans back to work. Our Government cannot
guarantee a company's success, but it can help create
market conditions that allow small businesses to
thrive.

My Administration is committed to helping small
businesses drive our economy toward recovery and long-
term growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
has supported billions of dollars in loans and Federal
contracts for small businesses across the country. The
Affordable Care Act makes it easier for small business
owners to provide health insurance to their employees,
and gives entrepreneurs the security they need to
innovate and take risks. We have also enacted new tax
cuts and tax credits for small firms. Still, we must do
more to empower these companies.

In this year's State of the Union address, I proposed
creating a $30 billion lending fund to help increase
the flow of credit to small businesses, and I call on
the Congress to pass this legislation quickly. My
Administration is also working to extend and enhance
Small Business Administration programs that have helped
small business owners acquire loans and hire workers.

This week, we celebrate the role of entrepreneurs and
small businesses in our national life. They are the
engine of our prosperity and a proud reflection of our
character. A healthy small business sector will give us
vibrant communities, cutting-edge technology, and an
American economy that can compete and win in the 21st
century.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim May 23 through May
29, 2010, as Small Business Week. I call upon all
Americans to recognize the tremendous contributions of
small businesses to our Nation with appropriate
programs and activities.

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