WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship made the following comments regarding her recent award from the State International Development Organizations (SIDO), a group that promotes international trade in all 50 states.

“I am humbled by the recognition SIDO gave me for my work on trade and exporting in America,” Senator Landrieu said. “With 95% of the world’s customers outside of the United States and only 1% of small businesses exporting, we must pursue ventures to expand international trade in the small business community. This is only the beginning of my work with organizations that promote and advance export initiatives in America, and I look forward to working with SIDO in the future. I know together we can meet the President’s goal of doubling U.S. Exports and creating two million new American jobs. ”

The Trade Promotion Champion Award is presented to an individual who works to advance America’s competitiveness through international trade. SIDO President Manny Mencia and incoming Vice President of SIDO Wade Merritt presented the award at the organization’s fall forum in Washington D.C. on September 7, 2011.

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2009 the United States was world’s largest exporter of goods and services, sending almost $1.6 trillion worth of goods and services abroad. Export supported jobs account for almost seven percent of total U.S. private sector employment, and they pay 15 percent more on average than domestically created jobs. Although only 1 percent of the United States nearly 28 million small businesses currently export their goods and services, these firms typically account for almost one-third of the country’s annual export volume, suggesting that global markets hold vast economic potential for small businesses.

To view and download the image, please click here and credit Matthew D. R. Lehner, Office of Sen. Mary Landrieu.