WHEREAS, entrepreneurship is vital to-Idaho’s growth and prosperity; and

        WHEREAS, most of the new jobs created throughout the United States in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses; and

        WHEREAS, according to the U S Department of Commerce, more than 2,300 people become independent entrepreneurs daily, joining more than 20 million self-employed individuals who make up more than 75 percent of the nation’s 26 million plus businesses nationwide; and

        WHEREAS, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills identified entrepreneurial literacy skills as one of the 21st century content areas critical to success in communities and workplaces; and

        WHEREAS, more than 70 percent of young Americans envision starting a business or doing something entrepreneurial as adults; and

        WHEREAS. the National Governors Association encourages connecting education to economic growth industries, recognizing that entrepreneurship and small business creation are the growth engines of any economy; and

        WHEREAS, a broad coalition of partner organizations in Idaho and throughout the United States is actively engaged in enhancing entrepreneurial opportunities through collaboration and cooperation with the national Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education; and

        WHEREAS, encouraging youth to be excited about entrepreneurship, and working to expand the knowledge, skills and attitudes of Idaho’s youth and adults to be SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs are crucial to the long-term growth of local communities, the state and the nation; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho‘s Career and Technical Student Organizations offer an array of programs, activities and competitive events focused on entrepreneurship; and

        WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives resolved to recognize an annual National Entrepreneurship Week that this year commences in February on February 23 – March 1, 2008; and

        WHEREAS, National Entrepreneurship Week provides an opportunity to focus on the innovative ways in which entrepreneurship education can bring together the core academic, technical and problem-solving skills essential for future entrepreneurs and successful workers in future workplaces;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim February 23rd through March 1st, 2008 to be

Entrepreneurship Week

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho in Boise on this 20th day of February in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE