1-1     By:  Madla                                             S.R. No. 851
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed May 5, 1999; May 5, 1999, read first
 1-3     time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military
 1-4     Installations; May 11, 1999, reported favorably by the following
 1-5     vote:  Yeas 3, Nays 0; May 11, 1999, sent to printer.)
 1-6                              SENATE RESOLUTION
 1-7           WHEREAS, The Air Force Outreach Program Office is working to
 1-8     develop proactive and innovative methods of outreach to strengthen
 1-9     economic equality and enhance the utilization of small businesses,
1-10     woman-owned businesses, historically underutilized businesses, and
1-11     minority institutions in Air Force programs; and
1-12           WHEREAS, The mission of the outreach program is to provide
1-13     military commanders, small business specialists, and industry
1-14     leaders with objective, practical, and research-based information
1-15     that will assist in the creation of programs and strategies
1-16     promoting effective and efficient utilization of small business;
1-17     and
1-18           WHEREAS, This objective may be accomplished through increased
1-19     public awareness, outreach activities, and education and training
1-20     programs; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Collaboration between the Air Force Outreach Program
1-22     Office and state and local governments allows the office to connect
1-23     with a large number of small businesses, enabling the office to
1-24     provide comprehensive services; and
1-25           WHEREAS, The Air Force Outreach Program Office and the City
1-26     of San Antonio Economic Development Department recently entered
1-27     into a memorandum of understanding to further these goals; and
1-28           WHEREAS, The Air Force Outreach Program Office and the City
1-29     of San Antonio share a common vision and wish to achieve mutual
1-30     objectives, including maintaining good neighbor relationships with
1-31     the local community, conducting outreach focus groups, promoting
1-32     alliances between businesses, academia, and government, and the
1-33     continued support of the "city/base" initiatives of Brooks Air
1-34     Force Base and the City of San Antonio; and
1-35           WHEREAS, The partnership between the Air Force Outreach
1-36     Program Office and the City of San Antonio fosters the development
1-37     of strategies to encourage economic growth and job opportunities
1-38     for the San Antonio community, promotes effective and efficient
1-39     utilization of small business, and strengthens the value of all
1-40     economically based programs to the Air Force, the Department of
1-41     Defense, and other national and local interests; and
1-42           WHEREAS, The Air Force Outreach Program Office would like to
1-43     expand its program and form an alliance with the Texas Department
1-44     of Economic Development to assist and support small and
1-45     historically underutilized businesses throughout the State of
1-46     Texas; and
1-47           WHEREAS, Such a partnership will assist both the Air Force
1-48     Outreach Program Office and the Texas Department of Economic
1-49     Development in identifying areas of opportunity for small
1-50     businesses in the changing local and national business climate;
1-51     now, therefore, be it
1-52           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th
1-53     Legislature, hereby support the efforts of the Air Force Outreach
1-54     Program Office and encourage the Texas Department of Economic
1-55     Development to enter into a partnership with the Air Force Outreach
1-56     Program Office to support small businesses in order to enhance
1-57     economic growth and job opportunities throughout the State of
1-58     Texas; and, be it further
1-59           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
1-60     forwarded to the executive director and the governing board of the
1-61     Texas Department of Economic Development.
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