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Skriven 2006-07-07 23:35:24 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0607074) for Fri, 2006 Jul 7
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Fact Sheet: A Day in Chicago: President Bush Highlights Economic Growth and
Innovation
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 7, 2006

Fact Sheet: A Day in Chicago: President Bush Highlights Economic Growth and
Innovation


˙˙˙˙˙ Press Conference by the President ˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Jobs _

"I think there's kind of an interesting sense of optimism here in this part
of the world, and the statistics bear that out. In the Chicago area,
businesses have added over _ more than 74,000 new jobs over the past two
years. _ This morning we got some good news _ the Nation added 121,000 new
jobs for the month of June. That's over 5.4 million jobs since August of
2003; that's 34 months of job increases. In the first quarter, our economy
grew at 5.6 percent; productivity is high."

_ President George W. Bush, 7/7/06

Today, In Chicago, President Bush Highlighted America's Growing Economy And
Discussed The American Competitiveness Agenda With Visits To Local
Landmarks And Discussions With Community Leaders. The President's visit
included time with Mayor Richard M. Daley and pillars of Chicago's business
community, a press conference at the Museum of Science and Industry
followed by a tour of the Museum's Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, and a tour of
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation's global headquarters and research and
development center where the President spoke about his American
Competitiveness Initiative.

This Morning, President Bush Held A Press Conference To Discuss Some Of The
Top Priorities On His Agenda. The President answered questions from local
and national reporters and discussed topics including the economy, War on
Terror, North Korea, and comprehensive immigration reform.

America's Economy _ And Illinois' Economy _ Are Strong And Growing Stronger

This Morning, The President Highlighted Today's Job Numbers At A Breakfast
With Chicago-Area Business Executives At Lou Mitchell's Restaurant, A West
Loop Neighborhood Institution.
  ū The American Economy Created 121,000 Jobs In June, And It Has Created
    More Than 5.4 Million Jobs Since August Of 2003. We have now added jobs
    for 34 straight months _ and the unemployment rate is 4.6 percent.In
    the first quarter of 2006, our economy grew at an impressive annual
    rate of 5.6 percent _ the fastest growth in two and a half years.
  ū Illinois' Unemployment Rate Has Fallen To 4.6 Percent, The Lowest Rate
    In Nearly Five And A Half Years. In the Chicago area, businesses have
    added more than 74,000 new jobs over the past two years. The
    unemployment rate in the Chicago area is 4.3 percent _ the lowest in
    almost six years.

President Bush's American Competitiveness Initiative Will Keep America
Competitive In The Global Economy

This Afternoon, President Bush Toured Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
And Discussed The American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI). Located in the
Chicago suburb of Aurora, Illinois, Cabot Microelectronics Corporation is a
company of 650 employees that helps manufacturers of electronics systems
build greater computing power into ever-smaller spaces. Cabot supplies
sophisticated polishing materials used in the manufacture of advanced
semiconductor chips and disks.
  ū President Bush Proposed The ACI To Help Innovative Companies Like Cabot
    Maintain America's Competitive Edge. The ACI represents a series of
    policies to strengthen America's position as the world leader in
    science and technology by increasing investments in research and
    development, improving the tax, legal, and regulatory environment for
    innovation, and ensuring America has a well-educated, highly skilled,
    competitive workforce.
  ū The United States Is The Global Leader In Innovation. America leads the
    world in research and development spending with over $300 billion _ as
    much as all other G-8 nations combined.
  ū The American Competitiveness Initiative Will Boost Federal Funding For
    Research In Promising Areas Such As Nanotechnology, Supercomputing, And
    Alternative Energy Sources. It will also encourage bolder private
    sector investment in technology and ensure that our economy has workers
    highly skilled in math and science.
  ū President Bush Urges The Senate To Join The House In Fully Funding The
    Basic Research Component Of ACI. The President thanks the House for
    fully funding the basic research component of ACI, and urges the Senate
    to do the same. He hopes Congress will act swiftly to pass the
    remaining elements of the Initiative, including proposals to strengthen
    K-12 math and science education, to make permanent the R_

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