Washington, DC – The following is the opening statement of U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member, from today’s hearing on small, minority, and disadvantaged businesses and small business programs of agencies under the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including the General Services Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Architect of the Capitol, the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Watch Rep. Diaz-Balart’s statement on You Tube.
“Small businesses are critical to strengthening our overall economy and creating jobs. The national unemployment has risen to 9.7%, the highest since 1983. Florida’s unemployment rate is above the national average at 10.7%.
“Job creation must be a priority, and small businesses have a proven track record for job creation. They create most of the nation’s jobs and employ about half of the private workforce.
“Small businesses have also developed more patents per employee than larger businesses, with the greatest number coming from the smallest firms with fewer than 25 employees.
“In Florida, small businesses account for more than 99% of the state’s employers and provides 44% of private-sector jobs.
“The numbers bear out the fact that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are important for job creation, growth, and innovation.
“Despite the importance of protecting the interests of small businesses, many government agencies are continuing to fall short of their goals for contracting with them. Last year, only one of the 24 agencies scored by the Small Business Administration met all of its small business contracting goals. However, I am pleased that GSA met its 2008 goals.
“Agencies need to continue to work towards meeting their goals for small business contracting. In addition, agencies must ensure contracting practices are fair, accessible, and transparent to maximize participation by small businesses.
“As I stated before, supporting small businesses is especially important now, with an unemployment rate that is at a 26-year high.”
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