Small Business Committee Democratic Site

STATEMENT
of the
Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Democratic Member
House Committee on Small Business
Full Committee Mark-up on SBDC Legislation - H.R. 3207 En Bloc Amendment
July 14, 2005

Mr. Chairman, I have an en bloc amendment at the desk.

As this nation continues to struggle toward an economic recovery, one thing is certain - small businesses are being relied on to create the jobs this economy so desperately needs. H.R. 3207 is one attempt at fixing this problem through small business expansion.

Representative Bean and I are offering this en bloc amendment today to improve upon H.R. 3207, and to make sure it meets the needs of small businesses throughout the country. This en bloc amendment will ensure that the program is encompassing of the unique needs of all entrepreneurs - including those of women, minority and service-disabled veterans.

Fifteen percent of small businesses are minority-owned, women own one-third of all businesses, and there is a growing segment of service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. This amendment would ensure that all three of these sectors are included in peer to peer learning opportunities, and would include business ownership as a factor for identifying participant businesses.

Another issue is the size standards that are utilized in this second stage program. My amendment would make sure that this program's size standards are aligned with all SBA programs.
In the end this will guarantee that all small businesses are eligible for the peer counseling.

Ms. Bean and I also want to ensure that all institutions can take advantage of the program's benefits. This move guarantees that historically Black colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and other minority institutions across the country have flexibility in meeting the funding requirements in order to quality for grants through this initiative.

In addition, we included a provision to ensure that community colleges can receive the same benefits.

These are initiatives that will help this nation's entrepreneurs turn this economy around. This en bloc amendment will help improve the current program and ensure that entrepreneurial development reaches all pockets, and sectors, of this nation's economy. I encourage the adoption of this amendment.

Thank you.