[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    OUR ECONOMIC EXPANSION CONTINUES

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, recent reports and statistics are showing 
that the American economy has rebounded from the devastation of 
Hurricane Katrina and is back on its historic track of growth and 
productivity.
  In November, 215,000 new jobs were created for a total of 4.4 million 
new jobs over the last 2\1/2\ years. Our economy grew at a solid 4.3 
percent in the third quarter, and unemployment is at a low 5 percent 
rate. In addition, the productivity of American workers is at an 
impressive annual rate of 4.7 percent, the fastest pace in 2 years.
  Mr. Speaker, this astounding economic growth has all taken effect 
ever since we passed, and the President signed, the jobs and growth 
bill into law in May of 2003.
  However, we in Congress still have work to do. We must make these tax 
cuts permanent, cut wasteful spending, and create an environment so 
that key sectors of our economy, such as the telecommunications 
industry, can reach their full potential.
  If we continue on this path, the ultimate winner will be the American 
people.

                          ____________________