[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 49263-49264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24855]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 178 / Tuesday, September 15, 1998 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 49263]]
Proclamation 7119 of September 10, 1998
Minority Enterprise Development Week, 1998
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
America's free enterprise system has always been a path
to inclusion and empowerment. Under this system,
generations of Americans have built good lives for
themselves and their families--rising as high as their
skills, effort, and determination can take them. But
for minority entrepreneurs, the path has not always
been free of obstacles. Sometimes held back by
economic, social, and educational disadvantages, too
often denied opportunities because of racial and ethnic
prejudice, many minority men and women have had to
struggle for equal access to the capital, tools,
training, and services they need to build and maintain
successful businesses.
My Administration remains committed to providing
opportunities for all entrepreneurs, and we are
determined to ensure the full inclusion of minority
business enterprises in the economic mainstream of our
Nation. The Minority Business Development Agency at the
Department of Commerce continues to promote minority
business growth and to create new initiatives to ensure
that minority business men and women have access to the
capital, information, and training they need to compete
in today's domestic and global markets. Last year, the
Small Business Administration (SBA) made a record $2.6
billion in loans to more than 10,000 minority-owned
businesses; over the last 4 years, loans to minority
borrowers have nearly tripled. And earlier this year,
the SBA entered into partnership agreements with three
leading minority business organizations as part of a 3-
year outreach initiative. This initiative is designed
to increase dramatically the SBA's financial,
technical, and procurement assistance for minority
entrepreneurs. These efforts will help to ensure that
America's growing number of minority entrepreneurs are
equipped to succeed.
Strong and successful minority enterprises benefit us
all. The goods and services produced by minority-owned
firms create jobs, spark community reinvestment and
neighborhood pride, and increase America's
productivity. With their imagination, innovative
spirit, and willingness to take risks, minority
entrepreneurs have made important contributions to the
remarkable growth of our economy during the past 5
years. Since the beginning of my Administration, we
have created more than 16 million new jobs and
unemployment has reached its lowest level in 30 years.
But to sustain and build on this success, we must
utilize the energy and creativity of every American.
As we observe Minority Enterprise Development Week, we
recognize and honor the extraordinary contributions
that minority entrepreneurs make to our Nation's
strength and prosperity, and we reaffirm our
determination to help them make the most of today's
dynamic economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 September 20 through
September 26, 1998, as Minority Enterprise Development
Week, and I call upon all Americans to join together
with minority business entrepreneurs across the country
in appropriate observances.
[[Page 49264]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
Tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-third.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 98-24855
Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
