Bob Filner: “I rise today and join my friends and colleagues in celebrating and honoring Black History Month. As we observe and…”

“I rise today and join my friends and colleagues in celebrating and honoring Black History Month. As we observe and reflect on the achievements of African-Americans in our Nation, I enthusiastically support and salute this year's theme, ``The Path Towards Empowerment.'' The African-American business community has been the hallmark of empowerment efforts in my Congressional District. This year marks the fifth consecutive year that I will host a Small Business Conference in my Congressional District in San Diego. These conferences have already opened the doors of opportunity to many African-American businesses which lacked such access in the past. These seminars have been concentrated in the African-American community and have produced significant achievements. Bryco Distributing Company, one of San Diego's largest paper goods distributing companies, has relocated into my Congressional District. We are also developing both a Business Improvement District and a Micro-Business District in the heart of San Diego's African-American community. Government contracting has also increased opportunities for the African-American business community. The Navy Exchange system has enabled an African-American baking goods company to acquire a Navy vendor contract. Construction contracts for Navy housing and other facilities have given African-American contractors, subcontractors and vendors valuable opportunities of historic proportions.”