The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S5671 on June 3, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, this year National Small Business Week will be held from June 2 to June 8. This week is a fitting opportunity for us to recognize the contributions of the many entrepreneurs in our country and reassess policies affecting small businesses.
It has been said many times over, but small businesses really are the heart of our small towns and cities. A full 99.9 percent of businesses in South Dakota are small businesses. In fact, we have only 25 businesses in the State that employ more than 500 people. Entrepreneurs in the local cafe, gas station, hardware store, and pharmacy provide essential services and cohesion for our communities. Farmers and small business people too, contribute to the community. Together, these leaders are the key to our economic strength.
Small businesses operate against overwhelming odds. Burdensome regulations and paperwork, onerous taxes, inadequate access to capital, and excessive litigation all are barriers to success. Congress made good progress earlier this year by passing the Small Business Regulatory Relief Enforcement Fairness Act, which instituted judicial review of regulations. This is a step in the right direction. We should continue on this track and enact workplace safety and Fair Labor Standards Act reforms. I recently spoke with Clark Sinclair, who owns a furniture store in Madison, SD, about the need for flexibility in awarding either earn comp time or overtime. This flexibility would be beneficial for both employees and business owners.
Business men and women should be free to operate without fear that their livelihood is in jeopardy due to unreasonable Government regulation and enforcement. Karla and Richard Hauk are prime examples of the obstacles small business owners face today. The Hauks recently constructed a Days Inn in Wall, SD, believing they complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department of Justice filed suit against them even as the Hauks made goodfaith efforts to negotiate and comply with the law. Government should work constructively with law-
abiding business owners like the Hauks and help them meet legal requirements.
Our tax policy also consistently works against small firms. The current estate tax system is a good example. I am proud to have worked with Senator Dole on a reform proposal that would alleviate the heavy burden of estate taxes on small family-owned businesses. Currently, estate taxes are so onerous that the inheritors are frequently forced to sell all or part of a family business simply to pay off the taxes. This tax can reach as high as an overwhelming 55 percent of the total value of the business. Many families must sell off all or part of their business or farm just to pay the estate tax. That is wrong.
Congress also should increase the deductibility of health care insurance for the self-employed, increase expensing, and reduce the overall tax burden on small businesses. Many small business owners file personal tax returns for their businesses. Thus, thanks to the Clinton budget plan, many sole proprietorships pay a higher tax rate than the largest corporations in the Nation. Take a business like Malloy Electric in Sioux Falls. Gary Jacobsen employs 65 people but cannot hire more employees because of the high tax burden. This is a business that has been a cornerstone of the community for 25 years, and yet the Government continues to tie their hands.
Despite these obstacles, entrepreneurs strike out on their own--and succeed. I would like to recognize the 1996 South Dakota Small Business Persons of the Year, DeLon and Janice Buttolph, of Labelcrafters Inc. in Sioux Falls. The Buttolph's custom label printing business started in 1987 with just one employee and one small contract. Now, Labelcrafters runs two shifts with 24 employees and continues to grow. The company has received national recognition for producing environmentally friendly labels. As partners in life, as well as partners in business, DeLon and Janice have shown that good small businesses come from families.
I also would like to recognize several other South Dakota small business persons who have made a difference in our State: Shelly A. Knuths, Roscoe Manufacturing Co., Madison--South Dakota Women in Business Advocate; Kenneth E. Yager, K.O. Lee Co., Aberdeen--South Dakota Small Business Exporter; Terry L. Fredericks, attorney for Whiting, Hagg & Hagg, Rapid City--South Dakota Veteran Small Business Advocate; Richard B. Vallie, Native American Herbal Tea, Aberdeen--
South Dakota Minority Small Business Advocate; and Mark W. Benson, First Bank of South Dakota, Rapid City--South Dakota Financial Services Advocate. In addition, Doug O'Bryan Contracting, Inc. of Martin, and C&W Enterprises of Sioux Falls, have received the Administrator's Award for Excellence for their outstanding performance as prime contractors under Federal contract.
These individuals are today's real heroes. They are creating jobs and prosperity in South Dakota small cities and towns. They are overlooked too often. This week we should take time to recognize their leadership and accomplishments. My congratulations to these and all other South Dakota entrepreneurs who daily make a difference.
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