[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOB CREATION

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the President's 
leadership on the Job and Growth Tax Act. There are too many Americans 
still looking for work. As its first order of business, this Congress 
helped by extending unemployment benefits in January. Now it is time to 
help American businesses create the jobs that these Americans need and 
want. Displaced workers have looked for employment for too long. We 
need a plan to encourage small business owners to expand and hire new 
people.
  North Carolina's 10th district has been struck hard by the economic 
downturn. Our Unifour area's unemployment rate almost quadrupled in 2 
years' time. Tax relief and fiscal restraint can help turn the tide and 
restore our economic vitality.
  It is wrong for this Congress to play partisan politics with the 
future of employment of millions of Americans. Relief to American 
businesses will allow them to grow, providing new job opportunities.
  Americans need paychecks, not handouts. The Jobs and Growth Tax Act 
will get us there.

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