Ernst Celebrates 250 Years of American Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON – At today’s U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing, Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) championed how entrepreneurs from Iowa to South Carolina have served as catalysts for our nation’s innovation. “Last summer, President Trump chose the great state of Iowa to kick off our nation’s 250 th celebration,” Ernst said. “At the Iowa State Fairgrounds, he underscored Iowa’s unique role in the American story. And I would have to agree. Look no further than our Iowa State Fair, where the creativity and entrepreneurship of our small businesses and farmers are on full display! As we continue to strive to fulfill our founders’ promise of a more perfect union, I have no doubt America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs will continue leading the way.” Watch Chair Ernst’s remarks here . Ernst’s full remarks: “On July 4, 1776, a group of patriotic Americans declared independence from British tyranny. They forged a new nation founded upon the self-evident truths that all are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “As we approach the 250 th anniversary of our nation, we should take time to reflect on our rich history. Our American story is one of courage, determination, and resilience. “It is impossible to tell this story without the entrepreneurs and innovators who have driven the country forward, serving as the catalysts for freedom and prosperity. For 250 years, bold Americans have conquered what was thought to be impossible. “Americans’ curiosity led to a wave of transformative innovation. With limited resources, but limitless determination, pioneers turned constraints into opportunity. From the light bulb to the spinning wheel to agricultural advancements, our earliest innovators created the foundation of the society we know today. “While American soldiers bravely fought in two world wars, American businesses of all sizes stepped up and led the charge on the domestic front. Our businesses, large and small, mobilized to supply critical resources on the battlefield and fueled our economy at home. “We kept the competitive American spirit going and channeled it into flight. Less than 100 years after the Wright brothers first took to the skies, American engineers and manufacturers made it possible to put a man on the moon. “And I have to note the Iowa connection here, when the Wright brothers were kids, they actually lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where their father brought home an early iteration of a helicopter for them to play with. The brothers credited this as one of their inspirations for their own airplane! “And now we stand at the forefront of technological innovation, unlocking a new digital frontier connecting nearly every corner of the globe. We turned big, impossible dreams into real-world breakthroughs in science, medicine, business and finance. And there is still much more to come. “Last summer, President Trump chose the great state of Iowa to kick off our nation’s 250 th celebration. At the Iowa State Fairgrounds, he underscored Iowa’s unique role in the American story. “And I would have to agree. Look no further than our Iowa State Fair, where the creativity and entrepreneurship of our small businesses and farmers are on full display! “As we continue to strive to fulfill our founders’ promise of a more perfect union, I have no doubt America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs will continue leading the way. “Today, we’re kicking off our part of America’s 250 th birthday celebration by reflecting on our storied history and listening to folks from three states that played pivotal roles in early American entrepreneurship: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. “Massachusetts embodies the American entrepreneurial spirit, starting with settlers arriving from England and building everything from scratch. Within new towns, small businesses were the catalyst for success. “Nearby in New Hampshire, a similar entrepreneurial mindset emphasized innovation, self-reliance, and the pursuit of opportunity. As America progressed, New Hampshire’s leadership in industrialization helped propel the entire nation forward. “Down the coast, in South Carolina, Charleston’s small shops and merchant houses lined the streets in one of the busiest ports in colonial America. “America250 is a bipartisan organization established by Congress to celebrate these unequaled achievements. America’s 250 th birthday is certainly cause for celebration and I am excited to hear about America250’s plans this July 4 th . “I am grateful that we’re joined today by our panel of witnesses. I look forward to hearing from them to see how their states have contributed to the American economy over the past 250 years.” ###