[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29393-29394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12755]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 26, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 29393]]


                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.

[[Page 29394]]

                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.
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                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-12755
Filed 5-25-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P