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Skriven 2005-05-14 23:33:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050514) for Sat, 2005 May 14
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 14, 2005

President's Radio Address


ÿÿÿÿÿAudio


THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm pleased to report that we see new signs
that the pro-growth policies we have pursued during the past four years are
having a positive effect on our economy. We added 274,000 new jobs in April
-- and we have added nearly 3.5 million jobs over the past two years.
Unemployment is down to 5.2 percent, below the average rate of the 1970s,
1980s, and 1990s. We have seen steady job gains during each of the past 23
months, and today more Americans are working than at any time in our
history.

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There are other good reasons for optimism. The economy grew at a solid rate
of 3.6 percent over the past four quarters, and economists expect strong
growth for the rest of 2005. Manufacturing activity is enjoying its longest
period of growth in 16 years. Inflation and mortgage rates remain low --
and we have more homeowners in America than ever before.

These positive signs are a tribute to the effort and enterprise of
America's workers and entrepreneurs. But we have more to do. So next week,
I will focus on three priorities that will strengthen the long-term
economic security of our nation.

On Monday, I will travel to West Point, Virginia, to highlight the benefits
of biodiesel, an alternative fuel that will help our country achieve
greater energy independence. We'll also discuss our need for a
comprehensive national energy strategy that reduces our dependence on
foreign oil. This strategy will encourage more efficient technologies, make
the most of our existing resources, help global energy consumers like China
and India reduce their own use of hydrocarbons, encourage conservation, and
develop promising new sources of energy such as hydrogen, ethanol and
biodiesel.

I applaud the House for passing an energy bill that is largely consistent
with these goals. Now the Senate must act. Congress needs to get a good
energy bill to my desk by the August recess so I can sign it into law.

On Tuesday I will welcome our newest United States Trade Representative,
former Congressman Rob Portman. Ambassador Portman understands that
expanding trade is vital for American workers and consumers. He will make
sure we vigorously enforce the trade laws on the books, while also working
to continue opening foreign markets to American crops and products. The
Central America Free Trade Agreement would help us achieve these goals.
This agreement would help the new democracies in our hemisphere deliver
better jobs and higher labor standards to their workers, and it would
create a more level playing field for American goods and services. Congress
needs to pass this important legislation.

Finally, on Thursday, I will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to discuss
with young people the importance of acting now to strengthen Social
Security. The Social Security safety net has a hole in it for younger
workers. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we need to make
Social Security permanently solvent. And we need to make the system a
better deal for younger workers, by allowing them to put some of their
payroll taxes, if they so choose, into a voluntary personal retirement
account. Because this money will be saved and invested, workers will have
the opportunity to earn a higher rate of return on their money than
anything the current Social Security system can now give them.

The American economy is the envy of the world. For the sake of our nation's
hardworking families, we must work together to achieve long-term economic
security, so that we can continue to spread prosperity and hope throughout
America and the world.

Thank you for listening.

END

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