Veterans of the Armed Services of the United States have collectively made sacrifices for this Nation that have produced immeasurable benefits for our country, our citizens, our freedoms, and our economy. Many of them have sustained physical and mental injuries that affect their ability to compete in today's job market and business environment.

The Federal Government through the Small Business Administration (SBA) has made a strategic commitment to ensure that the doors of economic opportunity and business ownership are open to those who have done so much to make this country strong. Veterans who wish to start or expand their businesses have the full support of the SBA.

Based on the SBA's commitment to serve veterans, a Veterans Task Force for Entrepreneurship was created and reported October 16, 1998. That report examined all aspects of the Government's programs, including business development, education and training, financial assistance, government contracting and advocacy; and made recommendations on how these programs could better serve Service Disabled Veterans, and other disabled person-owned small businesses. THE U.S. SENATE AND THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNANIMOUSLY ENACTED P.L. 106-50 LEGISLATION TO EXPAND AND REINFORCE VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SIGNED THE LEGISLATION INTO LAW AUGUST 17, 1999.

ASDV is establishing outreach programs for SDV in cooperation with Small Business Development Centers (SDBC) operated by universities and community colleges at over 1,000 locations nationwide. These programs will provide financial marketing/procurement and development/technical assistance and information targeted to new and existing service disabled veteran businesses and other disabled persons and veterans.

ASDV is seeking "PATRIOT PARTNERS" for its outreach program to support and assist those who served and sacrificed for our nation's free enterprise system.