From: Alison Eckis [aeckis@silinsurance.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:34 PM
To: WOSBProposedRegulation@sba.gov
Subject: Don't Gut the Women-Owned Business Set-Aside Program

Alison Eckis
5310 Markel Road
Richmond, VA 23230-3030


January 23, 2008

Robert C Taylor
409 3rd St SW
Washington, DC 20416


Dear Robert Taylor:

As a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) and a woman business owner, I strongly oppose the recent Small Business Administration proposed rule regarding federal contract opportunities for women-owned businesses. This proposed rule lacks any acknowledgment of the strength of the more than 10.4 million women business owners within the United States today. Instead, these rules gut the more than decade-old Congressional mandate designed to ensure that women business owners have access to five percent of federal contract spending.

Thank you for considering our position in thsi matter.

I encourage the SBA to listen to the voice of America's 10.4 million women business owners and reconsider the proposed rule. It is up to you to ensure that women business owners get their fair share of federal contracts and no less than the five percent of federal dollars that Congress set as the target in 1994.

Sincerely,


Alison W. Eckis
804-288-8500