Presidential Documents

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


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29394 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 26, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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. 

[FR Doc. 2010–12755 

Filed 5–25–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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