[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H4770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS STRONG

  (Mr. CRANE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I have noted with interest that some 
prominent Democrats have decided that part of their election strategy 
is apparently to scare the American people into believing that the 
economy is weak.
  I hate to rain on their parade, but here are some numbers: Inflation 
is at record lows; interest rates have been at record lows; real GDP 
has grown 5 percent during the last four quarters, the fastest annual 
rate in almost 20 years; the unemployment rate is 5.6 percent, which is 
lower than the 30 year historical average. Real disposal personal 
income increased at 4.9 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 
2004.
  Mr. Speaker, it sounds to me like some of our colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle, including the presumptive nominee for President, 
have apparently failed to do their homework. I, for one, do not think 
the voters are going to be impressed by this nonsense.

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