IV 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1134 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 26, 2018 Ms. Adams (for herself, Mrs. Radewagen , Ms. Velázquez , Mr. Hastings , Ms. Schakowsky , Mr. Lawson of Florida , Mr. Evans , Mrs. Murphy of Florida , Mr. Cohen , Ms. Norton , Mr. David Scott of Georgia , Ms. Clarke of New York , Mr. Grijalva , Mr. Schneider , and Mr. Espaillat ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business RESOLUTION Expressing support for the recognition of October as National Women’s Small Business Month as a time to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of women entrepreneurs and small business owners, and to support efforts to increase awareness of the value of women-owned small businesses.

Whereas there are nearly 10,000,000 women-owned small businesses in the United States; Whereas women-owned small businesses employ more than 8,400,000 people, representing 8 percent of the employees in the private sector of the United States; Whereas the number of women-owned businesses grew by 45 percent between 2007 and 2016; Whereas 4 out of 10 businesses in the United States are now owned by women; Whereas 1 in 5 firms with revenue of $1,000,000 or more is woman-owned; Whereas women-owned small businesses in the United States make up 12.1 percent of firms exporting goods internationally; Whereas women-owned small businesses in the United States generate $1,500,000,000,000 in sales annually; Whereas women of color account for 47 percent of all women-owned businesses, employ 2,200,000 people, and generate $387,000,000,000 in revenues in the United States; Whereas businesses owned by women of color grew by 163 percent over the last 10 years; Whereas, in 2015, women-owned businesses achieved a milestone of receiving 5 percent of Federal contracts, which was a goal set more than 20 years prior; Whereas 30 years ago on October 25, 1988, the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 ( Public Law 100–533 ; 102 Stat. 2689) was signed into law; Whereas the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 ( Public Law 100–533 ; 102 Stat. 2689)— (1) empowered women entrepreneurs by allowing them to independently pursue capital; (2) provided Federal assistance to women-owned small businesses through demonstration projects under the Small Business Administration, a precursor to the women’s business center program established in 1997; (3) established the National Women’s Business Council; and (4) required the Census Bureau to report on women-owned C corporations; and Whereas women’s entrepreneurship has steadily risen in the United States for the last three decades, and women-owned businesses are one of the economic engines of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) expresses support for the recognition of and encourages the observance of National Women’s Small Business Month; (2) commemorates the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 ( Public Law 100–533 ; Stat. 2689); (3) supports efforts to increase awareness of the value of women-owned small businesses and the impact on the national economy as well as the world’s global economy; (4) celebrates the contributions of women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs in every community; and (5) recognizes that creating policies which promote an environment in which women-owned small businesses may succeed is key to a stronger and healthier economy overall, job creation in local communities, and upward economic mobility.