Jimmy Carter

“ Small business has long played a vital role in our Nation's economy and way of life. This past January, I was honored to participate in the first White House Conference on Small Business. I had the opportunity to hear firsthand, the ideas, problems and aspirations of men and women from the small business community. ”

“ The small business community constitutes the single most important segment of our free enterprise system. It accounts for forty-eight percent of our gross national product, more than half of the American labor force, and continues to be the major source of inventions and new jobs. 'Small business is truly the backbone of the American economy. ”