LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 1-7, 2016, as Small Business Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, In New York, the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of small
businesses, minority- and women-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs are
vital to the prosperity and vibrancy of every community across this
great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, over 400,000
enterprises qualify as small businesses in New York State, comprising 97
percent of the State's established firms with 100 or fewer people; and
WHEREAS, The 2014 Small Business Administration Profile of New York
State Small Businesses listed the four State sectors with the most small
business employment as: health care and social assistance; accommodation
and food services; retail trade; and professional, scientific, and tech-
nical services; and
WHEREAS, The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, reported that 41,028 companies exported goods from New York
State in 2012; of these, 38,675 or 94.3 percent were small firms, which
generated three-fifths (59.7 percent) of New York's total known export
value; and
WHEREAS, New York State actively supports Minority- and Women-Owned
Business Enterprises (MWBE) by supporting the State procurement
contracting goal of 30 percent from MWBE firms; and
WHEREAS, The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act of 2014
promotes and encourages participation of service-disabled veteran-owned
businesses (SDVOBs) in the New York State public procurement process and
has had a successful first year of implementation with 178 certified
SDVOBs; and
WHEREAS, The contributions made by small business owners are not often
recognized, even though they create jobs, pay taxes, and produce goods
and services for their community and for the people of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, Small business owners possess the dedication and entrepreneu-
rial spirit to develop and market new technologies, thereby bringing
more capital into the business market and further strengthening our
economy; and
WHEREAS, The innovation, diversity, competitive strength, job
creation, and quality of life that small businesses bring to our economy
are vital elements of our State's long-term economic health; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses in New York State exert a strong positive
influence on the political, economic, and social development of the
State, and the future welfare of the State depends on the continued
development of small businesses; and
WHEREAS, The members of this Legislative Body wish to proclaim their
recognition of small businesses as a crucial element in the economy of
New York State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 1-7, 2016, as Small
Business Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.