James Sensenbrenner, April 28, 2005

Hundreds of small business leaders from across the country converged in Washington, D.C. this week for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Expo ‘05, held each year in correlation with National Small Business Week. During the week’s events, these entrepreneurs learn about successful business building strategies and pay tribute to the business men and women who are leading the way in their industries. It was my pleasure to recognize two of the individuals being honored as they operate businesses located in Wisconsin's 5th Congressional district.

Jean Thiel, founder of Belonger Corporation in West Bend, was recognized as one of SBA's Outstanding Women of the Year. She is one of only five recipients in the country. Moreover, James Lindenberg of World Class Wire and Cable in New Berlin was recognized as Wisconsin’s Small Business Person of the Year.

Entrepreneurs such as Jean and James are the backbone of our nation, and they deserve to be recognized for their contribution to Wisconsin’s economy. In fact, over the past decade, small businesses generated between 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually in the country.

With the economic downturn we experienced after September 11, 2001, it has never been more important to support small businesses. This is one reason I have consistently acted in Congress to defend small businesses from excessive governmental regulation and exorbitant taxes.

In fact just this week, a bill I was privileged to cosponsor, H. Res. 22, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that American small businesses are entitled to a Small Business Bill of Rights, cleared the House by voice vote. Among the rights included in this legislation are the right to simplified tax laws, freedom from frivolous lawsuits and excessive governmental regulation, and the right to purchase affordable health insurance.

I am pleased the House was able to agree on this common sense bill. Now, I hope my colleagues will join with me in following through on ensuring we abide by this bill of rights. One of the first ways we can do so is by enacting H.R. 525, the Small Business Health Fairness Act, which would allow small businesses to pool their resources in order to provide lower-cost health insurance to their employees. No business should have to be faced with the terrible choice of offering health insurance to its employees or letting those employees go. H.R. 525 would benefit both the business and its employees.

As the National Small Business Week winds down and small business leaders return to their shops and factories, I salute Jean Thiel, James Lindenberg, and all of America’s small business owners for the spirit of entrepreneurship that holds together our vibrant economy. The ingenuity arising from small businesses is reason to be optimistic about the future of Wisconsin and the country.

Congressman James Sensenbrenner, a Republican, represents the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin. He serves as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary. The Fifth District of Wisconsin forms an arc surrounding Milwaukee to the North and West, and includes parts of Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and all of Ozaukee and Washington counties.