Direct Selling

Floor Speech

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Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be a founding co-chair of the Direct Selling Caucus, which was established in January and announced at a Direct Selling Association (DSA) event with participants and constituents from around the country.

As a full time student, direct selling provided me with the flexibility necessary to pay for college while in school. Running my own business was an extremely rewarding experience and served as great preparation for my career in public service. It is a vibrant sector of the economy that embraces entrepreneurship and helps people achieve their American dream.

More than 18 million Americans located in every state, Congressional district and community choose to become involved in direct selling. It contributes more than $34 billion to the U.S. economy annually. As economic uncertainty places more emphasis on needed flexibility that opportunities to work independently provide, direct selling will continue to grow and prosper.

Just as important to the continued success of direct selling are the safeguards that the industry, through the Direct Selling Association's leadership, put into place. They promote high standards of business ethics and consumer protection.

On October 29, 2015, hundreds of direct sellers from across the country will come to Washington, DC to emphasize the importance of direct selling to the economy and remind policymakers of the opportunity it provides to pursue meaningful independent work. I hereby request that October 29, 2015 be recognized by this House as Direct Selling Day.

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