The Honorable ___________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative __________:
I am writing to urge your cosponsorship of H.R. 4376. As a woman business owner, the continued success of women’s business centers is important to me. I am (title) of (insert name of company), located in (insert location).
The Women’s Business Center (WBC) I am most familiar with is (insert name of center), located in (insert location) which has been in operation for ( __ years). If the Center has helped you, please insert a paragraph: Sample…The Women’s Entrepreneurial Center in Baltimore, not only helped me start my business, but also gave me the emotional support that was necessary to make me succeed as a business owner. Three years ago, I was homeless, due to domestic violence. Today, I employ 24 people all dedicated to providing quality home healthcare for patients coping with respiratory illnesses. I most certainly owe my success to the WEB.
If the Center has not directly benefited you, please insert a paragraph on how it has helped women in the area.
Sample:
The WEB serves ___ women every year, helping them start their businesses, providing emotional support as well as business advice. Due to limited financial resources, the women the WEB serves would find starting a business next to impossible.
This bill does not address Congressional funding but rather ensures that existing WBCs with a record of success (also known as sustainability centers) can apply for grants through the SBA to continue operating. If Congress does not make this change, 53 WBCs stand to lose their funding as of June 30, 2004. H.R. 4376 directs that 48% of the funding for WBCs go to existing centers with the remaining percentage dedicated to opening new centers. Because these Centers create jobs, the cost of the program is miniscule compared to the return to the community and the nation. The Senate passed its companion bill, S. 2267, on April 29, 2004.
Passage of this legislation is important to the 10.6 million women business owners who generate $2.5 trillion in sales and employ 19.1 million. I urge you to become a cosponsor of this legislation.
Sincerely,
Contact information Name , Address, Email and Phone
