BLACK BUSINESS MONTH 2009

whereas, the United States of America is truly a country of great ethnic diversity and multicultural character which has provided our nation with boundless energy and strength and has contributed significantly to our growth and progress; and

WHEREAS, African-Americans have made valuable and lasting contributions to the State of Connecticut’s economic, cultural, spiritual and political development while working tirelessly to maintain and promote their own history and culture; and

WHEREAS, the month of August 2009 has been designated as Black Business Month in honor of the numerous accomplishments of African-Americans in business; and

whereas, according to statistics collected in 2002, African-American owned businesses collected revenues totaling $88.6 billion, 24% higher than the total collected in 1997; and

whereas, Black Business Month acknowledges and celebrates the contributions made by African-Americans in business communities throughout our country, as well as in the economic development of the State of Connecticut; and

whereas, Black Business Month provides the opportunity to educate the public on the personal sacrifices and numerous accomplishments made by African-Americans in American business history; now

therefore, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby officially proclaim the month of August 2009, as

BLACK BUSINESS month

in the State of Connecticut.