Brooklyn's Progress
July 2002

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn), Ranking Democratic Member of the House Committee on Small Business, hosted the Brooklyn Chamber's annual legislative summit on June 5 with Chamber members, other elected officials representing Brooklyn such as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Reps. Major Owens, Jerrold Nadler and Edolphus Towns. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the development of a unified agenda to aid the further economic development of Brooklyn. "Today's meeting was a way for Members of Congress to come together with Brooklyn businesses to gain a better understanding of the needs of the local business community," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "The events of September 11 had a devastating effect on Brooklyn businesses. Now, more than ever, we need to keep the lines of communication open so that we can work together to solve problems and continue to keep aid flowing into the City. The issues discussed at the meeting included: Disaster relief efforts for suffering small businesses and ways to improve business opportunities in New York City. The Small Business Administration's vital programs that provide New York City small businesses with financial and technical assistance. The important issues of health care and worker training for small businesses. The inequities that small businesses face in the federal contracting and tax arenas. The link between environmental clean-up and economic development, as reflected in the Congresswoman's BUILD act to revitalize brownfields in New York City. An initiative to open up sources of federal contracting for local small businesses. At the summit, Congresswoman Velázquez highlighted efforts to obtain federal aid for the rebuilding of the City and the need to pass small business legislation that would provide grants to help small businesses hard hit by the events of September 11. She also highlighted two recent reports issued by the Democrats on the House Small Business Committee and how they relate to Brooklyn small businesses - Scorecard III on federal contracting practices and a study on the legislative status of the small business agenda. "This year's Chamber's trip to Washington was very productive," Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Ken Adams said. "Our annual legislative breakfast hosted by Congresswoman Velázquez was - as always - an important highlight of our marathon visit. Clearly, the Congresswoman is a champion of small business and a tireless advocate for all of us in Brooklyn. She is an active legislator with a keen sense of small business needs and economic development."