Small businesses, which renew and sustain America's economic prosperity, provide about three-fourths of the nation's jobs, opportunities for all Americans -- for men and women, the young and old, the prosperous and the struggling, minorities from all ethnicities, and immigrants.

Small business is the engine that drives experimentation and technological evolution. Developing high-tech research is crucial to ensure that Massachusetts and the nation continue to lead in knowledge-based industries, which are expected to generate the largest job growth for America this century.

As chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have fought to provide small businesses in Massachusetts and across the country greater access to capital, increased access to business counseling and training, better access to government contracts, tax relief from capital gains and estate taxes, and relief from federal regulations.