TO A SELECT FEW:

FEBRUARY, 1995

ISSUE STATEMENT 120: IT'S NOT JUST THE LAW, IT'S RIGHT

The full and true integration of Minority-owned businesses into the Federal procurement system is not just the Law- it is the right thing to do. This country will never recognize its true greatness until and unless people accept the fact that we must fully utilize all the resources at our disposal. We will not prosper in the new Global competition, until and unless we tap the vast reservoir of talent that we have in our minority community. And so minority-business usage may not only be the Law, and right, it may be vital to our future success.

There's a big controversy whirling about the Country as to whether the minority set-aside programs are in danger of being destroyed, ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Well, we don't believe the Court will rule against the Congressional right to pass Laws mandating SDB usage.

But even if they rule as to the legality, it won't dismiss the fact that it is right, to include all people in our National system.

The National Association is a trade association, and is therefore non-partisan, by requirement. However, we are committed to certain ideas and support philosophies and policies that are in the best interests of our constituency. And I see no prohibition as to our being "political". In other words, there's no prohibition against us promoting those whose ideas are consistent with ours. There's no prohibition against us supporting programs which include us and being against programs which do not include us.

Consequently, we need to continue keeping track of those things that we SDBs are a part of, and not a part of. As Congress goes through its annual budget deliberations our representatives ought be more politically conscious of whether they're doing right by us. God knows, I love my country, but to continue to deserve my support, my country must do right by me. Oh, by the way, the Supreme Court may decide what's legal, but we individually decide what's right for us. If it don't include us, it ain't right.

The struggle continues. until we succeed,


Henry T. Wilfong Jr., CPA
President


NOTE: Hank Wilfong is currently the President of NASDB; former Chairman of NASA Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee; former Associate Administrator SBA

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