Victor Fazio: “as the debate on the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations bill comes to an end, I would like to…”

“as the debate on the Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations bill comes to an end, I would like to mention a small but vital Small Business Administration program--the National Women's Business Council. The Council was created by Congress in 1988, and it is charged with being an independent, bipartisan advisor to Congress and the President on women's entrepreneurship. The members of the Council are prominent women business owners and leaders of national women's business advocacy organizations, who are devoted to helping other women start and expand businesses. Recent studies have shown that only 1.6 percent of the investments made by venture capitalists go to women-owned businesses despite the proven success of women's businesses, and this shows that we still have a long way to go in leveling the playing field for women-owned businesses. The National Women's Business Council is working to correct these and other inequities women's businesses face. The Council promotes bold initiatives, policies, and programs designed to foster women's businesses at all stages of development. The National Women's Business Council seeks to become the nucleus of a national network of women business owners and their advocate to the executive and legislative branches.”