SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

IRVING�The North Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association (NTCCEA) pledged its support to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign today at a business leaders' luncheon. The NTCCEA demonstrated its commitment to the campaign's goal of creating 2,162,359 jobs in Texas over the next decade.

"We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Chamber in its campaign," said Chris Wallace, president of the NTCCEA and Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. "We need to get Texans back to work and the free enterprise system is the best way to make that happen. Small businesses across the state continue to face challenges. But if we embrace the challenge of this campaign, I see a bright future in front of us."

The business leaders' luncheon is part of the campaign's "Enterprise and Education Month," which includes a stop at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization event this evening at Texas Christian University. Mary Kane, director of special projects at the U.S. Chamber, said the campaign is holding events and discussions around the country to highlight the role of education in job creation and to help engage and inspire the young entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow.

"We need to create 20 million jobs over the next 10 years," said Kane. "More than ten percent of those jobs need to come from right here in Texas. Young entrepreneurs play a critical role in helping the Lone Star State achieve that goal. As a nation, we need to help them understand and utilize the principles of free enterprise to get our nation back on the path toward economic recovery."

Today's events are part of a series of state and local forums the campaign is participating in around the country in the coming weeks and months to announce state-by-state job growth goals and to cultivate discussions with students, mayors, governors, and academics about how to meet the 20 Million Job Challenge. In addition, the campaign's I Am Free Enterprise video contest, which invited all aspiring and established entrepreneurs to share their story of free enterprise, will soon determine the finalists who stand to win $100,000 in cash prizes. The public can vote for the winning submission beginning May 10.

American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

www.uschamber.com
www.FreeEnterprise.com