| 00:00:01 | CRISIS. |
| 00:00:02 | SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE AGENCY'S MISSION HAS BEEN TO FOSTER THE CREATION OF MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE U. |
| 00:00:12 | S. IN FACT, THIS ORGANIZATION HAS OPERATED AS THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO SERVE MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES THROUGH ITS NETWORK THROUGH 40 CENTERS NATIONWIDE. |
| 00:00:24 | SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1969, 3. |
| 00:00:29 | 6 MILLION MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN OPENED, CREATING 4. |
| 00:00:33 | 7 MILLION JOBS. |
| 00:00:34 | THIS AMAZING GROWTH HAS ACCOUNTED FOR 661 BILLION IN REVENUE. |
| 00:00:41 | OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, THESE BUSINESSES HAVE FLOURISHED AS A RESULT OF CONSULTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY TO OVER 625,000 FIRMS. |
| 00:00:55 | DURING THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS, THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SERVICES ARE MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER. |
| 00:01:01 | AS MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE, THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A LIFELINE TO AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO OUR NATION'S ECONOMY. |
| 00:01:10 | IN 2008, DESPITE THE ONGOING RECESSION, THE AGENCY ASSISTED MORE THAN 25,000 MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES. |
| 00:01:19 | AS A RESULT, THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS ARE NOW GAINFULLY EMPLOYED. |
| 00:01:25 | TODAY, THE AGENCY CONTINUES TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO ASSIST MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES BY IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RECOVERY ACT. |
| 00:01:37 | MR. SPEAKER, I CONGRATULATE THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR ITS FOUR DECADES IN FOSTERING OUR NATION'S MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES AND URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 215. |
| 00:01:49 | MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME. |
| 00:01:52 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE GENTLEMAN FROM MINNESOTA. |
| 00:01:57 | MR. |
| 00:01:58 | PAULSEN: I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME. |
| 00:02:01 | THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: THE GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED. |
| 00:02:03 | MR. |
| 00:02:04 | PAULSEN: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 215 TO COMMEMORATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. |
| 00:02:10 | IT WAS NEARLY HALF A CENTURY AGO THAT PRESIDENT NIXON RECOGNIZED THE NEED |
Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 215, which congratulates the Minority Business Development Agency for its 40 years of commendable service to America's minority-owned businesses.
The Minority Business Development Agency has had a large presence in Indiana and continues to promote growth and achievement in this economic crisis.
Since its establishment, the Agency's mission has been to foster the creation of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. In fact, this organization has operated as the only Federal agency created specifically to serve minority-owned businesses through its network of over 40 centers nationwide.
Since its inception in 1969, over 3.6 million minority-owned businesses have been opened, creating over 4.7 million jobs. This amazing growth has accounted for $661 billion in revenue. Over the last 40 years, these businesses have flourished as a result of consulting services provided by the Agency to over 625,000 firms.
During this economic crisis, the Minority Business Development Agency's services are more critical than ever. As minority-owned businesses continue to struggle, this organization provides a lifeline to an essential component of our Nation's economy.
In 2008, despite the ongoing recession, the Agency assisted more than 25,000 minority-owned businesses. As a result, thousands of Americans are now gainfully employed. Today, the Agency continues to work diligently to assist minority-owned businesses by identifying opportunities available through the Recovery Act.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Minority Business Development Agency for its four decades of admirable successes in fostering our Nation's minority-owned businesses. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of House Resolution 215.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.