Benjamin Franklin once said, "He that would fish, must venture his bait." In America, we have millions of creative women and men, and even teens, who cast their reels everyday in the hopes of catching the American dream. And fortunately, we have the most vibrant economy in the world and the Small Business Administration to help them.

This week, the Small Business Administration is hosting its annual celebration of America's entrepreneurs at the Washington Hilton. President Bush spoke to the group yesterday in recognition of their tremendous contributions.

Just how important are small business owners? These innovators create 60 to 80 percent of new jobs nationwide. They generate more than 50 percent of the gross domestic product. Small business owners are the heart of the American market place, and their contributions to jobs and productivity are its life blood. In my home state of Tennessee, over 97% of all businesses are small businesses.

Women owned businesses generate billions of dollars in revenue and employ tens of thousands of workers. Minority owned firms, the fastest growing small business sector in America, account for nearly 33,000 small businesses in Tennessee.

Elisa Comer, CEO of Eagle's Landing Transcription Service of Johnson City, TN, has been chosen this year as one of the Small Business Administration's 50 Small Business People of the Year.