123STA T . 3 65 1 PROCL A M AT I O N8 382 — MA Y 15 , 2 0 0 9INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have he r e untos et my han d th i s f ifteenth day of M ay, in the year of our L ord t w o thousand nine, and of the Inde p enden c eofthe U nited States of A merica the two hundred and thirty - third .B ARA CK OBAMA Proclam a ti o n83 8 2 o fM a y15, 2 0 0 9Smal l Busine ss W ee k,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation The entrepreneuria l spirit lies at the core of our Nation ’ s economy and identity. If Americans with g ood ideas can wor k hard, put their plan to the test, and succeed, the American economy will continue to create j o b s and lead the world in innovation and productivity. D uring Na- tional Small Business Week, we honor the entrepreneurs and small business owners who are the engine of our economy. Their ingenuity and hard work are critical to our Nation’s prosperity. Small businesses are the lifeblood of cities and towns across the coun- try. Over the last decade, small businesses created 70 percent of new jobs, and they are responsible for half of all jobs in the private sector. They also help enhance the lives of our citi z ens by improving our q uality of life and creating personal wealth. Small businesses will lead the way to prosperity, particularly in today’s challenging economic en- vironment. My Administration is committed to economic policies that encourage enterprise and make America the best place in the world to do busi- ness. To support the free flow of credit, I have worked to increase loan guarantees, reduce borrowing fees, quicken loan processing, and unlock the secondary markets that support small business lending, among other measures. I also support ta x policies that promote invest- ment in small businesses, as well as health care reform that will help these businesses provide more workers with quality health care serv- ices. Our Nation’s success depends on America’s small businesses and en- trepreneurs. Their contributions are necessary to rebuild our economy so that it once again offers the opportunity to succeed to all who seek it. This week we thank small business owners, entrepreneurs, and em- ployees for helping America achieve that promise. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, P resident of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 1 7 through May 23 , 200 9 , as National Small Business Week. I call upon G overnment officials, industry leaders, and advocates across the Nation to encourage our citizens to celebrate the achievements of small busi- ness owners and encourage the creation of new businesses. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the
