SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 447

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the minority business leaders who are visiting the Capitol and to designate March 14, 2007, Minority Business Enterprise Public Policy Day at the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The Minority Business Enterprise Institute for Public Policy and the Dallas-Fort Worth Minority Business Council are coordinating the Public Policy Day in Austin in collaboration with minority business councils and chambers from across the state; this biannual event provides a venue for minority business owners, leaders, and public sector and private sector advocates to effectively engage with legislators and regulators on relevant public policy issues; and

WHEREAS, Public policy significantly affects the welfare of businesses owned by people of color and their employees and communities; and

WHEREAS, Businesses owned by people of color represent 26 percent of all businesses in Texas and generate $75 million in revenues; these businesses employ 561,000 workers in Texas with a payroll of $12 million; and

WHEREAS, Representatives of the Minority Business Enterprise Institute for Public Policy, ethnic chambers of commerce, minority councils, and contractors' associations have traveled to the Capitol to meet with legislators and to share knowledge about the process of public policy formulation; and

WHEREAS, Minority Business Enterprise Institute for Public Policy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to promote, increase, and sustain the inclusion of minority business enterprises in the public policy process; and

WHEREAS, Minority Business Enterprise Public Policy Day at the Capitol is an educational event for minority business owners, leaders, and advocates to learn about the governmental process and how they can work effectively with lawmakers on issues that affect minority business owners; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Minority Business Enterprise Institute for Public Policy and its partners contribute greatly to the cultural and economic vitality of this state, and they are to be commended for their work and their accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the Minority Business Enterprise Institute for Public Policy and to the minority business councils and leaders and extend to all representatives best wishes for a productive day at the Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of Minority Business Enterprise Public Policy Day at the Capitol. West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 14, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate