HR0536 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0536 LRB097 13650 GRL 58191 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Jewish B2B Networking Organization for their continued service to the small business community, the Village of Skokie, and the citizens of Skokie; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses represent 99.7% of all employer firms in the United States, employ just over half of all private sector employees, and pay 44% of the total U.S. private payroll; and

WHEREAS, Unemployment currently averages 9.1%, representing over 13 million Americans that are out of work and are seeking work; and

WHEREAS, Jewish B2B Networking, under the direction of Mr. Shalom Klein, was founded in June of 2010 to connect and empower small businesses, service the needs of individuals in transition, and develop programming that has successfully brought together thousands of individuals; Jewish B2B Networking has put 109 people to work in this tough economic climate; and

WHEREAS, Over 3,000 people have participated in networking sessions, educational programming, and other services through Jewish B2B Networking; the organization is currently assisting almost 600 job seekers in updating their resumes; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois remains committed to economic development, bringing new businesses to our State, and creating an environment that is friendly to small businesses, which make up 98% of Illinois employers; and

WHEREAS, 2,864 business networkers attended Jewish B2B Networking's free business and employment expo, The Business Event, which was held in Skokie on August 25, 2011; the event is dedicated to assisting small business owners and job seekers; and

WHEREAS, George Van Dusen, Mayor of the Village of Skokie, proclaimed that date of August 25, 2011 as The Business Event Day; and

WHEREAS, The Business Event will be held again in 2012 and is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Jewish B2B Networking Organization and commend them for the excellence they have achieved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Shalom Klein, Director of the Jewish B2B Networking Organization, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.