[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                             STRONG ECONOMY

  (Mr. SHAW asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SHAW. Madam Speaker, with Christmas just around the corner, the 
latest economic indicators are welcome gifts to the American people. In 
the last 5 years, this country has endured terrorist attacks, stock 
market decline and natural disasters. Yet despite all of this, the 
latest numbers show that our economy is strong and it is getting 
stronger.
  Just in time for holiday travel, gas prices continue to decline and 
are down nearly 23 cents in the last 4 weeks. Sales of new homes rose 
13 percent in October, which was the largest monthly gain in 12 years. 
Finally, nearly 4.5 million jobs have been added in the last 2\1/2\ 
years. We have even seen an impressive 200,000 jobs per month.
  And, State and local revenue has risen 7.2 percent. In fact, in my 
State of Florida, we expect a surplus of more than $3 billion.
  These positive numbers are the result of Republicans' pro-growth 
economic policies. The Democrats, however, believe that a good gift is 
to continue to tax and spend.
  Madam Speaker, right now we have a strong, vibrant economy. 
Republicans remain committed to these policies that will endure and all 
Americans can realize the American dream and have a merry, merry 
Christmas.

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