Washington D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution from U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognizing the week of May 5, 2019 as “National Small Business Week.” This is the 56th anniversary of the designation. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week celebrates American entrepreneurship and awards small businesses who are impacting their communities and driving local economies. The Rubio-Cardin Resolution highlights the important impact small businesses have on our economy and celebrates their contributions to our nation.

“America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs work tirelessly to provide outstanding services and products. From serving the needs of our local communities to exporting globally, small businesses are the spirit of the American dream. They create dignified jobs, foster innovation, and are the heartbeat of our economy. Congratulations to this year’s National Small Business Week award recipients. I hope that every American will join me in celebrating the contributions of America’s more than 30 million small businesses,” Chairman Rubio said.

“Small businesses are the engine of the American economy—employing our neighbors, developing innovative ideas and products, and providing a viable path to the middle class for American families,” Ranking Member Cardin said. “Small businesses are particularly important in my home state of Maryland, where they employ more than half of all workers. Women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses, especially, are overcoming obstacles and creating jobs. This National Small Business Week, I encourage all Americans to share their appreciation for small businesses by shopping small and shopping local—grab a bite to eat or buy a new book at one of the many local, independently-owned businesses that are strengthening our communities.”

Joining Rubio and Cardin were Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Angus King (D-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martha McSally (R-AZ), David Perdue (R-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jim Risch (D-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Todd Young (R-IN).

National Small Business Week events will be held throughout the country. The SBA will honor the outstanding work of small businesses nationwide. See how you can participate here.