Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1082, ``Small Business Additional Temporary Extension Act of 2011,'' which temporarily extends from May 31, 2011 through July 31, 2011 certain authorities of the Small Business Administration and its programs under the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act of 1958. S. 1082 further amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize through Fiscal Year 2011 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as the SBA's commercialization pilot program. American small businesses are the heart beat of our nation. I believe that small businesses represent more than the American dream--they represent the American economy. Small businesses account for 95 percent of all employers, create half of our gross domestic product, and provide three out of four new jobs in this country. Through a bipartisan effort, Congress created SBIR in 1982 and STTR in 1992. Comprehensive extensions for the programs were made in 2000 and 2001, respectively. The programs have received numerous temporary extensions since they expired in 2008. In particular, the SBIR and STTR programs technological innovation in small, high technology firms to meet federal research and development needs while increasing private sector commercialization and helping the government solve its problems.…”