THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
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For Immediate Release Contact: James E.
Kennedy
Friday, October 6, 2000 (202) 456-7035
STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
I applaud President Clinton?s decision to sign an Executive Order to
increase opportunities and access for disadvantaged businesses. These
businesses, vitally important to the economy of the United States, have
historically faced hurdles in obtaining access to Federal procurement
opportunities. The Executive Order directs each agency to take clear and
specific steps to increase contracting between the Federal Government and
Small Disadvantaged Businesses, businesses in the section 8(a) Business
Development program and Minority Business Enterprises. I am particularly
pleased that the Executive Order specifically emphasizes contracts for
advertising and information technology, and that it requires each agency to
detail its efforts to increase use of disadvantaged businesses by
submitting annual reports. Today?s action is another step taken by this
Administration to level the playing field for minority owned businesses.
Also today, I urge businesses and workers to read an important new
report issued by the National Partnership for Reinventing Government and
the U.S. Department of Commerce entitled Best Practices in Achieving
Workforce Diversity. This report finds that diversity is good for business
and should serve as a model for the private and public sectors as they
develop their workforces.
Finally, I commend the American Advertising Federation for responding
to my challenge to demonstrate the value of diversity and the business
advantages of serving minority customers by developing and publishing
Principles for Effective Advertising in the American Multicultural
Marketplace. I encourage companies to sign onto these Principles to
increase their commitment to diversity in the advertising industry.
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