New Jersey-2016-AJR74-Introduced

A Joint Resolution commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the United States Small Business Administration and the 53rd anniversary of National Small Business Week.

Whereas, Small businesses, which the federal government defines as businesses having fewer than 500 employees, employ approximately half of all private sector employees and represent the majority of all employer firms in the United States, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit central to the country's national identity; and

Whereas, New Jersey's small businesses employ approximately half of the private-sector workforce and represent a large portion of all employers, making small businesses an integral component of the State economy; and

Whereas, In 1953, the federal government, recognizing the importance of small businesses, established the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses, to ensure that small businesses would receive a fair proportion of government contracts, and to expand and diversify the economy; and

Whereas, The SBA fosters small business access to capital by guaranteeing bank and credit union loans, and has specialized loan requirements for low-income small business owners; and

Whereas, Through its Office of Advocacy, the SBA gives small business owners a voice in the legislative process to help reduce the burdens of federal and state laws that may inhibit business growth; and

Whereas, The SBA offers loans to victims of natural disasters, and as of January 30, 2013, approved more than $1.1 billion in disaster loans to 16,800 residents and businesses in states where federal disaster declarations were issued as a result of Superstorm Sandy; and

Whereas, The SBA offers a wide range of assistance to small enterprises in all fields, including financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management training, and specialized outreach to women, minorities, youth entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs over age 50, and veterans of the Armed Forces; and

Whereas, In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week, a celebration led by the SBA, to honor exceptional small businesses and business owners nationwide; and

Whereas, Through annual presidential proclamations, National Small Business Week continues to be celebrated with events across the country, recognizing the achievements of small businesses and business owners, and fostering a healthy small business community through networking and educational opportunities; and

Whereas, The SBA and National Small Business Week have encouraged, supported, and honored numerous small businesses and small business owners for decades, creating a strong and more diversified economy, and greatly contributing to the social and economic strength of the country; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This joint resolution commemorates the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the United States Small Business Administration and the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of National Small Business Week in recognition of the importance of small businesses in this State and nationwide.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President of the United States, the majority and minority leaders of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, each member of the United States Congress elected from this State, and the Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution commemorates the 63rd anniversary of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and the 53rd anniversary of National Small Business Week.

Small businesses, which the federal government defines as businesses having fewer than 500 employees, employ approximately half of all private sector employees and represent the majority of all employer firms in the United States. New Jersey's small businesses employ approximately half of the private-sector workforce and represent a large portion of all employers. Small businesses reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the country's national identity and represent an important component of the State economy.

In 1953, the federal government, recognizing the importance of small businesses, established the SBA to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses, to ensure that small businesses would receive a fair proportion of government contracts, and to expand and diversify the economy. A decade later, in 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week to honor exceptional small businesses and business owners nationwide

Today, the SBA offers a wide range of assistance to small businesses across the country and National Small Business Week continues to be a celebration of the contributions of small businesses to the community. It is for these reasons that the Governor and the Legislature commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the United States Small Business Administration and the 53rd anniversary of National Small Business Week.