IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 215 
Congratulating the Minority Business Development Agency on its 40th anni-
versary and commending its achievements in fostering the establishment 
and growth of minority businesses in the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 5, 2009 
Mr. HONDA (for himself, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Ms. LEE of California, and Mr. 
KILDEE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on 
Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Congratulating the Minority Business Development Agency 
on its 40th anniversary and commending its achieve-
ments in fostering the establishment and growth of mi-
nority businesses in the United States. 
Whereas the success of minority businesses is a critical com-
ponent of a robust economy in the United States; 
Whereas minority businesses employ 4,700,000 people, ben-
efit minority communities, and contribute to local, State, 
and national economies; 
Whereas minority businesses are twice as likely to generate 
revenues through exports compared to nonminority busi-
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•HRES 215 IH 
nesses due to their language capabilities, cultural com-
petencies, ancestral ties, and business agility; 
Whereas in 1969, there were only 322,000 minority busi-
nesses with $11,000,000,000 in gross receipts and the 
number of minority businesses continues to grow, cur-
rently 
estimated 
at 
more 
than 
4,000,000 
with 
$661,000,000,000 in gross receipts; 
Whereas minority groups represent 26.1 percent of the popu-
lation, but own only 11.6 percent of the Nation’s busi-
nesses and receive only 6.2 percent of total sales; 
Whereas the Minority Business Development Agency was es-
tablished by Executive Order 11458 on March 5, 1969; 
Whereas the Minority Business Development Agency has op-
erated for the last 40 years as the only Federal agency 
created specifically to serve minority entrepreneurs; 
Whereas the Minority Business Development Agency operates 
a network of business development centers throughout 
the United States to assist with the start-up, expansion, 
and development of minority businesses; 
Whereas the Minority Business Development Agency supports 
the Gulf Coast Recovery through its five centers located 
in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi; 
Whereas in fiscal year 2008, the Minority Business Develop-
ment Agency assisted more than 25,000 minority busi-
nesses producing over $1,000,000,000 in contracts and 
over $1,100,000,000 in financial packages, which contrib-
uted in excess of 5,300 new jobs created for its clients; 
Whereas since 1969, the Minority Business Development 
Agency has served more than 625,000 minority busi-
nesses 
and 
assisted 
in 
securing 
more 
than 
$25,000,000,000 in loans and bonding; and 
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•HRES 215 IH 
Whereas the Minority Business Development Agency’s long- 
term strategic direction is achieving entrepreneurial par-
ity so that minority business enterprises are in proportion 
to the minority population: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) congratulates the Minority Business Devel-
opment Agency on its 40th anniversary; 
(2) commends the Minority Business Develop-
ment Agency for its achievements in fostering the 
establishment and growth of minority businesses; 
and 
(3) encourages the Minority Business Develop-
ment Agency to continue its efforts to assist minor-
ity businesses as such enterprises continue to 
strengthen communities, create jobs, and contribute 
to the health of the economy in the United States. 
Æ 
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