WASHINGTON - November 9 - To challenge the myth that the estate tax is bad for business, three small business owners and entrepreneurs are speaking out in support of a strong, permanent federal tax on large estates.  They are urging Congress to restore a strong estate tax.  The issue will be debated when Congress returns on November 15. Contrary to claims that all business owners oppose the estate tax, these Americans who have founded and/or run small businesses want to see the tax strengthened and are willing to pay it. 

• Two small business owners who represent the vast majority of farms and businesses that would owe no estate tax should it return to 2009 levels (a farm service provider from Arkansas and a microbrewer from Washington state), and;
• A Silicon Valley entrepreneur who represents the mere 0.02% of all estates that are small businesses or farms that can expect to pay estate tax at 2009 levels.

• Jean Gordon, Little Rock, AR
  Co-owner of Frostyaire of Arkansas, agricultural freezing and cold storage company.
• Jerry Fiddler, San Francisco, CA
  Principal of Zygote Ventures, venture capital firm, and Founder of Wind River Systems, tech company.
• Dave Eiffert, Snoqualmie, WA
  Co-founder and Co-owner of Snoqualmie Falls Brewery, craft brewery and tap room.
• Lee Farris, Senior Organizer on Estate Tax Policy at United for a Fair Economy.
• Mike Lapham, Director of Responsible Wealth, a project of UFE.