Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2010

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8547 of August 20, 2010

Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Since our Nation's founding, the United States has been
a beacon of economic opportunity and limitless
possibility. America's strength and resiliency have
relied on the vision of our entrepreneurs and small
business owners, whose tireless work ethic has defined
the character of our country. During Minority
Enterprise Development Week, we celebrate the millions
of minority business owners whose firms generate jobs,
strengthen our economy, and embody the entrepreneurial
spirit of America.

Even in the toughest of times, America has been
characterized by the belief that anyone with a good
idea and enough hard work can succeed and share those
achievements with their employees and communities.
Today, as we emerge from a historic recession, many
families and businesses face difficult economic
challenges, and we must continue to prioritize job
creation as part of a sustained recovery that works for
all Americans. Minority-owned and operated enterprises
are essential to stabilizing our economy now, and
laying a foundation for future economic growth and
prosperity.

Looking forward, we must continue to remove barriers so
these businesses can create new employment
opportunities, increase their capacity, and advance our
long-term prosperity. To achieve this goal, my
Administration is committed to taking concrete steps to
increase Government procurement opportunities for small
and minority businesses. By unleashing the energy and
ingenuity of American entrepreneurs in the domestic and
international marketplaces, we can generate millions of
jobs here at home, open and expand new markets, reduce
barriers to trade, and ensure strong and balanced
economic growth. As America competes in the global
economy, it is vital we capitalize on the dedication,
creativity, and acumen shown by our minority business
owners and their employees. Through the National Export
Initiative, my Administration is teaming with American
businesses to double our exports over the next 5 years.
The skills and leadership of minority business owners
and employees will be critical as our public servants
and business leaders develop the linguistic
capabilities, cultural competencies, and international
partnerships needed in a 21st century economy.

Minority Enterprise Development Week is anchored by the
American legacy of entrepreneurial ambition and
innovation. As we honor minority enterprises, their
industrious owners, and their hard-working employees,
let us also recognize the diversity, determination,
insight, and innovation of American businesses, and the
immeasurable support they lend to our leadership in the
global marketplace.

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 August 22 through
August 28, 2010, as Minority Enterprise Development
Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week
with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities
to recognize the many contributions of our Nation's
minority enterprises.

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