John Kerry: “women-owned businesses have scored a double victory today. President Clinton and a bi-partisan coalition of Senators…”

“women-owned businesses have scored a double victory today. President Clinton and a bi-partisan coalition of Senators have unveiled separate but complementary national policies to increase procurement opportunities for businesses owned by women. Though on its face Federal procurement may not sound like an important issue to the general public, or even a term that many recognize, it is one of the most lucrative, yet difficult, markets for small businesses to access, particularly those owned by women and under-represented minorities. For example, in 1999, women-owned businesses made up 38 percent of all businesses but received only 2.4 percent of the $189 billion in Federal prime contracts. We can do better. And, before we enact new laws, we should promote and enforce the ones we have. First, I want to offer my strong support and sincere compliments to President Clinton for signing an executive order today that reaffirms and strengthens the executive branch's commitment to meeting the five-percent procurement goal for women-owned businesses.”