text: In honor of National Small Business Week, I want to recognize and thank all of the small business owners who have invested in and continue to believe in Rhode Island. Small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employer firms in the United States, and have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years. The role of small business in the Rhode Island economy cannot be overstated. I am encouraged by the vision of state leaders who seek to reduce regulation and streamline the process of starting or expanding a business here, and in Congress, I will continue to fight for strong workforce development programs and career counseling in our schools, in order to close the skills gap. I believe that these efforts will result in a highly-skilled workforce ready to tackle careers in industries with high growth potential ÛÒ especially when it comes to small business.