Small Business Congratulates President Obama

In a moving and historical ceremony, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden took the oath of office at a time when the nation faces many challenges and uncertainties. None-the-less, President Obama's inaugural address was hope-filled and encouraging as it reminded Americans that our nation has overcome many extraordinary challenges in the past. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) congratulates President Obama and Vice President Biden and pledges to work with the Administration in their efforts to advance policies that leverage the national assets and strengths the President referred to in his address.

In his speech, President Obama noted our deep national assets, as well as market opportunities that continue to exist for U.S. goods and services: "We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished."

SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan noted that entrepreneurs are in tune with this thinking, and the President's optimism: "Small business owners and entrepreneurs are the individuals President Obama so described in his speech - those who are the 'risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things.' Indeed, more than ever, our nation needs the innovative activity, the hard work and energy that small business owners bring to the economic recovery table," commented Kerrigan.

She added, "They are and remain the 'men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up along the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom,' as President Obama so eloquently described in his speech."

SBE Council is hopeful that President Obama will keep these words in mind as he considers his policy options and priorities over the next several months. Small firms are struggling, and they require policies that enable capital formation and access; health care reform initiatives that give them more choices in the marketplace while lowering costs; regulatory policies that are sensible and that do not impose new cost burdens; opportunities to access overseas markets; a workforce that is skilled and flexible; and an economic climate that supports investment, and business growth.

Karen Kerrigan
President & CEO