Feb. 27, 1997
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association for the Self-Employed today honored Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, (R-Mo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business, with its Legislative Visionary award. The commendation recognizes exemplary leadership and support for small business during 1996.
"Chairman Bond has created an impressive record of committee leadership," said NASE President Bennie L. Thayer. "He works to encourage entrepreneurship. He has a unique understanding of the benefits and needs of small businesses and their owners, and acts as an effective advocate. He offers legislative solutions which truly address the problems that small-business owners face."
Specifically, the NASE awarded Chairman Bond for his work in shepherding to passage the landmark Small-Business Regulatory Enforcement Act (SBREFA). This law put "real teeth" into the Regulatory Flexibility Act and offered an array of other provisions to ease the burden of unnecessary regulations for small business and the self-employed. SBREFA will ultimately make it easier and more attractive for entrepreneurs to start and maintain businesses.
Chairman Bond also worked to resolve special problems faced by home-based businesses -- holding Congress' first-ever hearing about the issue in 1996 -- and helped initiate the first steps toward clarifying the tax status of independent contractors, the top recommendation of the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business.
The NASE's Legislative Visionary awards recognize outstanding leadership on behalf of small businesses and the self-employed each year. Including Chairman Bond -- who also received the award last year for his leadership in 1995 -- only seven senators received the award this year.
"The entire small-business community is indebted to Chairman Bond," Thayer concluded. "The NASE is proud to salute his leadership with this award."
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