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 Thank you, Secretary Barreto, for all you have done to promote and protect America's small businesses.
It's been quite a busy conference. We've had a number of great workshops and we've heard from this country's top political leadership.
From President George W. Bush on down to the cabinet secretaries, administrators, and directors, this is one administration that gives women entrepreneurs a seat at the table.
We hope over these past two days that you've increased your knowledge and made some important business contacts.
But, most of all, we hope you've had a chance to express your concerns and interests.
As you've heard from a number of our speakers - you are the future. You create businesses and jobs faster than the national average. In fact, according to a poll taken during yesterday's lunch, 60 percent of you were planning to hire more people in the coming months.
That's a wonderful sign that the economy is recovering -- and we want to make sure that the good economic news continues and that the recovery stays on track.
That's why we're working especially hard to reform social security, provide tax relief and increase pension security.
But clearly there are more challenges ahead.
Let me provide you with some of the polling figures from yesterday:
Nearly 80 percent of you had problems with the government contracting system. Over 76 percent found the costs associated with employee health care a deterrent to offering benefits. And nearly 65 percent of you had major difficultly in securing private investment.
I can assure everyone in this audience -you have been heard!
That’s why this President and this secretary will continue to fight for affordable and accessible health care … will continue to press for more tax incentives for private investment … and continue to make the federal government contracting system more accountable.
Working together we will overcome these obstacles and help more women entrepreneurs like you create jobs and generate wealth.
All of us - whether in the US Department of Labor, Agriculture, Treasury or Small Business Administration - are reachable and available for your counsel and advise.
Call us, email us or send us a letter.
You can make a difference.
Again, thank you for joining us. It’s wonderful that so many different women’s groups and organizations pulled together to help make this conference a success.
And let me also thank Jonathan Ortmans, the President of the Public Forum Institute and his staff for helping with all the conference details.
Have a safe trip home.
We look forward to working with all of you in the coming days.
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