By JACK FARIS

Throughout its history, the United States of America has been blessed with virtually unlimited resources. Our oil fields have lubricated a century of industrial innovation, our mines have given metal ore to build factories and cities, and our scientific energies have propelled us into outer space.

Today’s America is testimony to our ability to harness resources and convertthem into benefits for mankind. And yet, there remains a vital and virtually untapped resource that could fuel our nation’s entrepreneurial future and spawn even greater economic prosperity for all races, creeds and colors.

That resource is the next generation of American small-business owners. Today they carry backpacks and portable CD players, wear T-shirts and jeans.

Nearly three million young people graduate each year from America’s high schools. Some go to work immediately, others seek higher learning. But regardless of their chosen paths, the American Dream of owning their own business burns brightly in the minds of most.

Nearly three-fourths of high school students, according to a Gallup survey conducted for the Kauffman Foundation in the mid-90s, wanted to start their own business. Unfortunately, nine out of 10 didn’t know how. Their knowledge of entrepreneurship was inadequate. Worse, only 27 percent learned about business in high school.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that our nation’s priorities could use a little course correction. While NASA is launching its 111th multi-billion-dollar space shuttle, public school spending per student orbits around $7,000.

But entrepreneurial education will soon get a boost – not from the federal government, but from the American small-business sector.

Countdown is about to begin for the launch of an exciting new initiative sponsored by the NFIB Education Foundation. Next fall the Free Enterprise Scholars program will offer $1,000 scholarships to a minimum of 100 graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and initiative. With a commitment of $100,000, the goal of the Foundation is to inspire tomorrow’s small-business owners and stress the importance of education to the success of young men and women.

The Foundation, an affiliate of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest small-business advocacy organization, is eager to identify those bright stars in the small-business galaxy. The scholars program is the first of many endeavors on the drawing board-all designed to encourage young people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. For more information about the NFIB Education Foundation and its many programs visit www.nfibeducationfoundation.org.

You won’t hear roaring rockets or see great flaming streaks in the sky, but the creation of small enterprises by tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, once flung into the economic stratosphere, will do more to strengthen national security and expand prosperity than any government program ever could.

The Foundation’s timely mission is to ignite interest among our youth about the critical role private enterprise and entrepreneurship can play in the future of their nation. On this planet, there is no greater resource than our youth, and there is no greater calling than that of free enterprise.

JACK FARIS is president of the National Federation of Independent Business, the largest small-business advocacy group.