Small Business Saturday

S. Res. 320

   Whereas small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all businesses having employees (commonly referred to as ``employer firms'') in the United States;

   Whereas small businesses employ 1/2 of the employees in the private sector in the United States;

   Whereas small businesses pay 44 percent of the total payroll of the employees in the private sector in the United States;

   Whereas small businesses are responsible for more than 50 percent of the private, nonfarm product of the gross domestic product;

   Whereas small businesses generated 65 percent of net new jobs during the last 17 years;

   Whereas small businesses generate 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs annually;

   Whereas small businesses focus on 2 key strategies: deepening relationships with customers and creating value for customers;

   Whereas, for every $100 spent with locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through local taxes, payroll, and other expenditures;

   Whereas 92 percent of consumers in the United States agree that the success of small businesses is critical to the overall economic health of the United States;

   Whereas 93 percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses contribute positively to the local community by supplying jobs and generating tax revenue;

   Whereas 91 percent of consumers in the United States have small businesses in their community that the consumers would miss if the small businesses closed;

   Whereas 99 percent of consumers in the United States agree that it is important to support the small businesses in their community; and

   Whereas 90 percent of consumers in the United States are willing to pledge support for a ``buy local'' movement: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates November 26, 2011, as ``Small Business Saturday''; and

    (2) supports efforts--

    (A) to encourage consumers to shop locally; and

    (B) to increase awareness of the value of locally owned small businesses and the impact of locally owned small businesses on the economy of the United States.