Small Business Owners Endorse Suzanne Bonamici for Congress

Press Release

Following the Portland City Club debate today, Suzanne Bonamici announced that more than 40 Oregon small business owners have endorsed her candidacy because she is the candidate they can trust to make government a more effective partner with small businesses.

"My first job was in my mom's small business, where I learned to appreciate the hard work, responsibilities, and rewards of owning and running a business. As a state legislator, I passed legislation to help small businesses get the capital they need to expand and create jobs in Oregon," Bonamici said. "I am committed to continuing this work in Congress -- and small business owners can trust that I will because I already have a proven record."

One of the most damaging results of the economic crisis is a tight credit market that is making it hard for many small businesses to access financial capital. As a state legislator, Suzanne passed legislation to increase access to capital for small businesses so that they could survive, expand and create jobs across Oregon.

Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, reported in June 2011, that approximately 300 jobs have been created or saved through these loan programs since the bill passed in 2010. This fact was recently confirmed by KATU following a false attack from Suzanne's opponent.

As a member of Congress, Suzanne will work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to get more capital into the hands of small business owners in Oregon. According to the SBA, more than half of working Americans either own or are employed by a small business. Also, over about the last decade, small businesses created nearly 65 percent of net new private sector jobs so it is important to Oregon's economic recovery that voters elect someone dedicated to working with the SBA.

Suzanne also has earned the endorsement the Northwest Credit Union Association. Together, she and Oregon credit unions will work in Congress to pass pending federal legislation to lift the member business lending cap, which will result in more capital for small businesses in Oregon and across the country. According to a recent editorial by The Oregonian, lifting the cap is a "A quick, cost-effective way for Congress to help small business and create jobs…Advocates for credit unions claim that raising the cap would boost business lending by more than $13 billion and help small business create over 140,000 jobs over the next year."

Below are statements and a complete list of the small businesses owners who are endorsing Suzanne for Congress:

"Suzanne believes that small business will drive the economic recovery here in Oregon and across the country. She will evaluate legislative decisions to assure that we have balanced tax and sensible regulatory policies that are helpful and not burdensome to small businesses so they can thrive. She also understands that it is critical that small businesses have equal access to capital to drive the expansion and she will work on that front as well." -- Michael Allport, President, Allport Editions

"Suzanne's work, both legal and legislative, on behalf of Oregon's small businesses demonstrates her commitment to small business, and her understanding that a healthy small business sector is absolutely critical to the success of Oregon's economy. I trust Suzanne to take the right priorities to Congress and be the strong voice for Oregon's small business community." -- Christine Chin Ryan, President, Synergy Consulting, Inc.

"What I look for in business, whether it be a production employee, a bookkeeper, a sales person, is hard work, sound judgment, the ability to tell a fact from a tall tale, and the courage to challenge someone who may be a fast talker, someone trying to sell a really bad idea. Suzanne has demonstrated these qualities in her public life. She has a record of good judgment, and a concern for the facts. And her track record is public. We know what she has done. I am impressed by all of that and by her as a person. She will be a steady hand in government." -- Stephen McCarthy, Owner, Clear Creek Distillery

"Suzanne understands the importance of small business to Oregon's economy. In Congress, she will be prepared to ask the question of every proposal, "Will this help or hinder Oregon's small business owners?" -- Mike Roach & Kim Osgood, Owners, Paloma Clothing

"Suzanne has been a real partner in creating an environment that will grow the economy of the future here in our community. Her brand of intelligent, effective, and inclusive leadership is exactly what Congress needs right now." -- David Vernier, CEO, Vernier Software & Technology

Jim Abeles, CEO, Pre1 Software, Portland
Michael Allport, President, Allport Editions, Portland
Brian Beinlich, Software Engineer, North Plains
John Bell, Bell Tax Accountants, Inc., Beaverton
Susan Bender Phelps, Odyssey Mentoring and Leadership, Beaverton
James Berry, Co-Founder, Culinate, Inc., Portland
Patricia Bilow, The Bilow Group, Realtors, Lake Oswego
Curtis Bosworth, Owner, WBS Construction, Portland
Greg & Irmi Brown, Owners, Bayou Golf Course, McMinnville
Greg & Marcia Brown, President & Vice President, Agro Works, Inc., Boring
Christine Chin Ryan, Christine, President, Synergy Consulting, Portland
Dave Dalton, Dalton's Northwest Catering, Tigard
Jonathan Deitz, Deitz Group Oregon, Portland
Paul Dietz, Owner, PDQ Spa Service, Hillsboro
Tobey Fitch, Fitch Associations, Management Consulting, Portland
Art Fortuna, President-Owner, Vibrant Table Catering & Events, Portland
Eric Fricke, Owner, Print Northwest, McMinnville
Mark Fritch, Owner, Mark Fritch Log Homes, Sandy
Donald Friedman, President/CEO, M Benefit Solutions, Portland
David Gold, Real Estate Development & Management, Portland
Jennifer Greenleaf, Writer/Consultant, Greenleaf Agency, LLC, Portland
Chris Harker, Founder & CEO, Cayuse, Inc., Beaverton
Bob Iwasaki, Owner, Tanasacres Nursery, Hillsboro
Doug Johnson, Owner, Hillsboro Pharmacy, Hillsboro
David Leiken, Double Tee Concerts, Portland
Nathan Levin, Nathan Levin Co., Salem
Celeste Mallett & Jori McGinnis, Owners, Earth Oven Pizza, Hillsboro
Stephen McCarthy, Clear Creek Distillery, Portland
Linda McGeady, Partner, Drumlin Holdings, Portland
Steven McGeady, Chairman, Shiftwise, Portland
Huma Pierce, DC, Chiropractic First, LLC, Beaverton
Michael Roach, Owner, Paloma Clothing, Portland
Steve Rosenbaum, President & CEO, Pop Art, Inc., Portland
Al Solheim, AWS Real Estate, Portland
Paul F. Sorenson, Principal/Owner, Hill Sorenson Enterprises, Ltd. dba Human Experience Lab, Portland
Maria & Rob Stuart, R. Stuart & Co. Winery, McMinnville
Debbie Thomas, Owner, Debbie Thomas Real Estate, Portland
Fred & Marilyn Turner, Owners, Olive You, McMinnville
David & Christine Vernier, Vernier Software & Technology, Beaverton

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