May 25, 1999

The Honorable Aida Alvarez
Administrator, Small Business Administration
Washington D.C.

Dear Administrator Alvarez:

We the undersigned, on behalf of our combined membership of more than 10 million veterans, would like to thank you for your leadership in forming the "SBA Veterans' Task Force" in June of last year. Your personal leadership in this regard is much appreciated throughout the veterans' community.

Many of the ideas that were crystallized and refined in Task Force meetings have been incorporated into the "Veterans' Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999", H.R. 1568. More than, thirty four veterans and military organizations believe this legislation to be a most important and substantial bill, and have joined together to support this bi-partisan effort. Given your significant contribution to the process that led to the content of this proposed legislation, we respectfully request your enthusiastic public support for the H.R. 1568.

During Small Business Week, we would appreciate the opportunity to help you educate the public and especially America's veterans about the opportunities this legislation presents this nation. We would be pleased to join you for a public event where you might announce your support for immediate passage of this legislation. Your strong commitment to the implementation of the law, once it is enacted, will be sought and appreciated.

Again, please accept our appreciation for your personal commitment to veterans, so eloquently on many occasions. We look forward to working closely with you in the future to ensure veterans, particularly disabled veterans, have the opportunity to earn their piece of the American Dream.