| 1 | 1 | | 89R2036 BK-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Morales of Harris H.C.R. No. 9 |
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| 7 | 7 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Small businesses are an essential element of our |
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| 9 | 9 | | state's economy, and their viability has far-reaching benefits for |
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| 10 | 10 | | the communities in which they operate; and |
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| 11 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Texas is home to 3.1 million small businesses, which |
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| 12 | 12 | | are defined as companies that employ fewer than 500 people; these |
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| 13 | 13 | | enterprises represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Texas, and |
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| 14 | 14 | | they employ close to half of the state's residents; and |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, From clothing designers to food trucks, bookstores |
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| 16 | 16 | | to auto mechanics, and tech startups to construction firms, small |
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| 17 | 17 | | businesses operate in a diverse range of industries and provide a |
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| 18 | 18 | | broad spectrum of products and services; the entrepreneurs who lead |
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| 19 | 19 | | these endeavors are likewise diverse, with a sizeable proportion of |
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| 20 | 20 | | small businesses being owned by women and members of racial |
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| 21 | 21 | | minority groups; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Beyond providing goods and services, small |
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| 23 | 23 | | businesses create jobs and stimulate commercial activity within |
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| 24 | 24 | | their communities; their role as engines of economic productivity |
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| 25 | 25 | | stems from the fact that the businesses often rely on local supply |
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| 26 | 26 | | chains, and their smaller size allows them to adapt to and |
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| 27 | 27 | | accommodate the demands of local customers and the unique character |
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| 28 | 28 | | of their neighborhoods; and |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, Despite being major drivers of commercial growth, |
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| 30 | 30 | | small businesses face significant challenges, including economic |
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| 31 | 31 | | uncertainty, rising costs, and difficulties in finding workers; |
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| 32 | 32 | | fostering a supportive environment for these enterprises is key to |
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| 33 | 33 | | ensuring their long-term viability and will assist hardworking |
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| 34 | 34 | | entrepreneurs in adjusting to changing market conditions; and |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, By choosing to patronize small businesses, we are |
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| 36 | 36 | | investing in the future prosperity of our towns and cities and our |
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| 37 | 37 | | state at large, and it is fitting that we set aside a day each month |
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| 38 | 38 | | to encourage Texans to shop local and show their support for the |
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| 39 | 39 | | small businesses in their communities; now, therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 41 | 41 | | hereby designate the first Saturday of every month as Small |
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| 42 | 42 | | Business Saturday; and, be it further |
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| 43 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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| 44 | 44 | | Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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| 45 | 45 | | effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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| 46 | 46 | | finally passed by the legislature. |
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