Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the small business face in America is changing. We have more and more women who would like to get involved in opening and starting their businesses, and the bill that we have before us as sponsored by Representative Fallin does just that. It promotes opportunity for women by increasing access to business counseling and training through the development of the Women's Business Center. This will better enable women to have flourishing enterprises and help to spur job creation and economic development across this Nation. I urge adoption of this bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2397) to reauthorize the women's entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that the face of small business is changing in this country. Women entrepreneurs now account for 50 percent of all small business owners and are growing at a phenomenal rate. The SBA Women's Program Act of 2007, sponsored by Congresswoman Fallin, works to enhance opportunities for women by increasing access to in-depth outcome-oriented counseling and training. It strengthens SBA's Women's Business Centers to ensure that they continue to serve the important role of assisting small business owners. While many have taken advantage of the services Women's Business Centers offer, not all budding entrepreneurs are getting the resources they need to successfully start and own a business. A significant gap exists between the number of women in our country and those involved in entrepreneurship, particularly in certain industry sectors. Representative Fallin's legislation will increase the reach of Women's Business Centers to help develop entrepreneurship, particularly in underprivileged areas. By setting standards, it ensures that those who want to start their own firms have quality support and training resources available. The increased research that this bill requires will make sure that challenges currently impacting women are identified and addressed. The SBA Women's Procurement Act of 2007 builds on the strong track record of Women's Business Centers. The expansion of these centers has the potential to spur economic growth in disadvantaged communities and to even move impoverished women from welfare to entrepreneurship. I strongly support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. Sestak, the sponsor of the legislation, for as much time as he may consume.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, small businesses play a critical role in our economy. As the leading job creators and generators of nearly half of private sector gross domestic product, their impact is felt throughout the country. Today, entrepreneurs are confronted with intense competition from foreign and corporate counterparts. They must continually update their products and processes, as well as adapt to change quickly. Traditionally, the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs were created to provide direction and assistance to small business owners, helping them remain competitive and armed with the tools to maintain successful ventures. While providing critical assistance, these programs were created many years ago to address general business development issues faced by typical small businesses of the time. There is no question the needs of entrepreneurs change as the environment does. The challenges facing entrepreneurs today are different from those even 5 years ago. SBA's entrepreneurial development programs must evolve to provide small businesses with the ability to deal with the economic conditions of today. The Small Business Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007 introduced by Congressman Sestak not only modernizes this program to adjust the current concerns of small businesses but also enhances them. Today, the leading issues for small firms are the rising health and energy costs and complying with regulations. This legislation will help small business owners identify and secure affordable health care. With less than half of small business owners providing health care, the need for legislation that helps alleviate this is clear. Considering the current price of gasoline, there's no question why the number one concern for entrepreneurs is the cost of energy. Gasoline is more than $3 a gallon. This price represents a 28 percent increase over a period of just 2 months ago and a 52 percent increase since the end of January. Due to small businesses' limited resources, as production costs are driven up, they become less competitive with their counterparts. While the costs of energy and health care have risen, so has the regulatory burden for small businesses. In 2006, just seven major rules added over $3.7 billion to the overall regulatory costs. That does not even account for the thousands of other regulations that were added last year. Small firms today require affordable access to information and counseling to address these new rules. H.R. 2359, with its increased capacities, ensures that the SBDCs located in communities across the Nation have the ability to assist entrepreneurs in facing these challenges. For this reason, the SBA Entrepreneurial Development Act of 2007 has the support of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. They are not only supporting but will key vote this legislation. By tailoring SBA's economic development programs to the economic demands and changing composition of small businesses, they will better promote business development this our communities. H.R. 2359 will make sure small firms remain a driving force in our economy. I urge support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2359) to reauthorize programs to assist small business concerns, and for other purposes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Today's entrepreneurs are facing countless challenges. SBA's entrepreneurial development programs must be modernized to provide small businesses with the ability to deal with the economic conditions of today. Mr. Sestak's legislation, the SBA Entreprenurial Development Programs Act of 2007, makes much-needed updates to the agency's programs so that they are better able to assist entrepreneurs and enable small firms to remain a driving force in our economy. H.R. 2359 has the support of the NFIB, who, in addition to supporting it, has made it one of their key votes for the 110th Congress. Again I want to thank Mr. Sestak and also Mr. Chabot, the ranking minority member, for working in a bipartisan manner to move this legislation and other bills that will be moved today. I want to thank the staff that worked on this bill. From the majority staff, Michael Day, Adam Minehardt, Nicole Witenstein; from Representative Sestak's staff, Clarence Tong; and from the minority staff, Barry Pineles. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2359.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and encourage adoption of the resolution.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in closing, with unemployment rampant on Native American reservations, legislation that not only fights poverty but fosters the development of job creation is critical. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2284.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall), the sponsor of the legislation. (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are responsible for creating three out of every four new jobs and account for almost half of all sales in this country. There is no question the impact they have on economic growth and the development and revitalization of countless neighbors. Currently, the Native American population is one of the most impoverished. Their unemployment rate is nearly double that of the general population, with almost half of all residents living on a reservation unemployed. Providing opportunities for business growth within the Native American sector will create jobs, generate revenue and ultimately benefit local economies across the country. The Native American Small Business Development Act of 2007, introduced by Representative Udall, works to increase prospects for Native Americans through small business ownership. While many in the Native American population are struggling, there is strong interest to engage in entrepreneurship. For these communities to have a growing small business sector, resources must be available locally and be culturally sensitive. This legislation has enjoyed bipartisan support in the past and has passed the House in previous Congresses. It is designed to provide culturally tailored assistance for entrepreneurial development in some of the most disadvantaged areas of this country. Not only will this bill help combat poverty and unemployment, but it will bring new services and opportunities to Native American communities. It is my hope that in the 110th Congress, H.R. 2284 can finally become law and expand the right to business ownership. I urge support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2284) to amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, veterans have not only been critical to the defense of our Nation, but with the increasing number of service men and women engaging in entrepreneurship, they have also been invaluable in helping our economy grow. These men and women have dedicated their lives to preserving our freedom. It is crucial that we show our appreciation for their service. The SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007 does just that. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2366, the SBA Veterans' Program Act of 2007. I urge its adoption.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2366) to reauthorize the veterans entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the motion.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson), a member of the Small Business Committee.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. There is no question our Nation's veterans have made great sacrifices for this country. Many traveled long distances, spent lengthy amounts of time away from their families, and have been in harm's way to ensure our safety. To date, more than 135,000 troops have come home from Iraq and Afghanistan. These men and women are increasingly turning toward small business ownership. Congressman Buchanan's legislation, the Small Business Administration Veterans Programs Act of 2007, ensures that service men and women will not only have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship but to succeed at starting their own firms. While many have the American dream of owning a business, veterans face unique challenges when working to start or maintain their firms. For this sector of the population to be successful in their small business endeavors, there needs to be assistance available in local communities. They cannot be expected to return home knowing all of the necessary and available tools to start a business. Outreach efforts to these aspiring entrepreneurs need to be increased and information must be accessible. The Small Business Administration Veterans Programs Act of 2007 makes these resources available. Service men and women contributing to economic growth is not a new trend. After World War II, the GI bill provided the opportunity of a college education to this Nation's veterans. By 1956 there were 7.8 million World War II veterans that had participated in an education or training program. The impact that that single piece of legislation had on this Nation's economy was great. Much like ensuring the right to a college education, as the GI bill did, H.R. 2366 expands business ownership. It provides specific assistance for aspiring business owners. Starting a business after leaving military service provides an opportunity for returning veterans to not only begin a new career but to secure their livelihood. Enabling this to be a viable option for some of the most dedicated individuals in our country spurs economic development in local economies, demonstrates our commitment to their aspirations of entrepreneurship, and represents true patriotism. I strongly urge support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2366) to reauthorize the veterans entreprenurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.