Eva M. Clayton: “I join my colleagues in commending the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes) for doing this annually and for his leadership.…”

“I join my colleagues in commending the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes) for doing this annually and for his leadership. This hour gives us an opportunity to put in the Record some reflection and attributes of black history. This month as a whole gives the Nation an opportunity to reflect, but also gives an opportunity to assess what is going on. Mr. Speaker, last night I attended an event at which Vice President Al Gore and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Aida Alvarez, announced a new major initiative aimed at increasing loan approvals to minority entrepreneurs. The announcement of this initiative is most appropriate as we pause to celebrate Black History Month. I was particularly struck by the Vice President's remarks as he discussed the historical debate between the value of political power as compared to economic power. The Vice President recognized that this debate has spanned the years past and acknowledged that it would likely continue into the years ahead. We actually need both economic development and political power if we, as a community, are to sustain a quality of life. Whatever the view one may hold on this issue, it cannot be denied that the initiative announced last night, once implemented, would benefit the black community and, in particular, the black businesses in ways that would be felt into the future.”