PRINTER'S NO. 4062
No. 552 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY HASAY, LESCOVITZ, ROBERTS, KENNEY, GORDNER,
SERAFINI, PRESTON, MAHER AND LAUGHLIN, NOVEMBER 10, 1998
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 10, 1998
A RESOLUTION
1 Proclaiming November 1998 as "Microenterprise Month" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Microenterprise is an integral and productive sector
4 of the economy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
5 WHEREAS, Microenterprise in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 represents over 154,000 businesses with fewer than five
7 employees and over 30,000 sole proprietors; and
8 WHEREAS, Microenterprise creates jobs, contributes to the
9 economic growth of this Commonwealth and improves the quality of
10 life in our communities; and
11 WHEREAS, Research has shown that microenterprise is an engine
12 not only for economic growth but also for building community;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, Microenterprise is a cost-effective and successful
15 strategy for self-employment and poverty alleviation; and
16 WHEREAS, Microenterprise in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
17 has accessed more than $1,700,000 in microcredit loans; and
1 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Microenterprise Coalition (PMC) is
2 a nonprofit, Statewide association organized to strengthen the
3 effectiveness and build the capacity of microenterprise
4 development programs in Pennsylvania; and
5 WHEREAS, The PMC members' services are targeted to existing
6 and potential entrepreneurs of low to moderate income,
7 dislocated workers, women, minorities, persons with disabilities
8 and persons on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF);
9 and
10 WHEREAS, Seventy percent of participants served are low to
11 moderate income and 21% are TANF participants; therefore, self-
12 employment is a viable alternative to welfare dependency; and
13 WHEREAS, The Aspen Institute's Self-Employment Learning
14 Project listed Pennsylvania as one of the top ten states
15 reporting start-up microbusinesses in 1995, and research has
16 shown that microenterprise development provides real economic
17 opportunity, enhances personal and business assets, strengthens
18 self-confidence and fosters discipline for the target
19 population; and
20 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supports
21 microenterprise and has demonstrated its support by enacting the
22 Project for Community Building, which offers tools and resources
23 to assist and stimulate new self-help initiatives within our
24 communities; and
25 WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Public Broadcasting Network aired a
26 documentary covering microenterprise and microcredit during the
27 fall of 1998; therefore be it
28 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives proclaim November
29 1998 as "Microenterprise Month" in Pennsylvania.
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