PRINTER'S NO. 2963
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
624
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, BIZZARRO, HENNESSEY, MILLARD, HELM,
HICKERNELL, SHUSTERMAN, FREEMAN, RYAN, JONES, KINSEY, KORTZ,
SCHLOSSBERG, KOSIEROWSKI, THOMAS, MENTZER, BURNS, SCHMITT,
PICKETT, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, YOUNGBLOOD, HILL-EVANS, MURT,
EVERETT, DEASY, MALAGARI, ROEBUCK, DiGIROLAMO, OTTEN AND
GILLEN, DECEMBER 2, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, DECEMBER 2, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Supporting the observance of "National Women's Small Business
Month" to celebrate women entrepreneurs and small business
owners and affirming their progress.
WHEREAS, Each October, the United States observes "National
Women's Small Business Month"; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting to recognize women's entrepreneurship
and representation in proprietorships, partnerships,
corporations and part-time businesses; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Labor has reported
that nearly all women-owned businesses are considered small
businesses; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with a steady rise over the past three
decades, the number of women-owned small businesses increased
21% between 2014 and 2019, to nearly 13 million; and
WHEREAS, Revenue during the same period also increased 21%,
to $1.9 trillion; and
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WHEREAS, Women of color comprise 50% of all women business
owners, control 39% of all privately held businesses, employ
nearly 2.4 million people and generate $422.5 billion in
revenue; and
WHEREAS, Between 2007 and 2018, the number of businesses
owned by women of color grew by 163%; and
WHEREAS, Women-owned small businesses have added 9.4 million
jobs to the United States economy; and
WHEREAS, These businesses appear in every industry, engage in
more than 70 global labor markets and constitute 12% of United
States exporters; and
WHEREAS, The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988, enacted
October 25, 1988, addresses significant barriers within Federal
regulatory processes, business systems and communities at large;
and
WHEREAS, Facilitating fair access to capital was a
significant reform at a time when business loans were not issued
in a woman's name; and
WHEREAS, The act compels Federal data collection and provides
for the National Women's Business Council and the Office of
Women's Business Ownership; and
WHEREAS, The United States Small Business Administration, its
Office of Advocacy and network of Women's Business Centers, and
the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau are committed to
strengthening women's participation in private and public
sectors; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Government pursues a goal of awarding at
least 5% of all Federal contracting dollars to women-owned small
businesses each year; and
WHEREAS, As part of celebrating women entrepreneurs and small
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business owners, the House of Representatives seeks public
policies directed toward business growth and competitiveness,
job creation and upward economic mobility; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives notes the value and
impact of women-owned small businesses in national and global
markets and in every community in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives commemorates the
enactment of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 and
seeks wider recognition of "National Women's Small Business
Month"; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
observance of "National Women's Small Business Month" to
celebrate women entrepreneurs and small business owners and
affirm their progress.
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