Family Business Day

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas Family businesses are a great and significant component of our heritage and culture, and greatly contribute to the Commonwealth’s economy; and

Whereas An estimated 80 to 90 percent of business ventures in the nation, including 35 percent of the Fortune 500, are, or began as, family-owned enterprises; and

Whereas Family owned businesses account for 60% of total U.S. employment, 78% of all new jobs, and 65% of wages paid; and

Whereas Family businesses remain a crucial aspect of the social strength of the Commonwealth, fostering positive community relationships; and

Whereas The typical American family firm donates $50,000 annually to philanthropic causes, mostly to local, educational and religious organizations; and

Whereas Ranging in size from start-up enterprises to large international corporations, family businesses contribute greatly to the strength and vitality of our economy,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaims June 6th, 2012, to be,

Family Business Day

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-first day of May, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
               

By His Excellency                     
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth

William Francis Galvin 
Secretary of the Commonwealth

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts