[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 9, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H14379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOB RECOVERY

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, today Congress is faced with one of the 
greatest economic challenges of our time: high unemployment rates. It 
is a challenge that we must be determined to meet. While current 
unemployment numbers are still too high, the continued decline of job 
losses is a promising sign of economic recovery that we must build on.
  We have already taken bold steps to lift our Nation out of recession. 
Since January, we have stabilized the financial system, revived lending 
to small businesses, prevented home foreclosures, cut taxes for the 
middle class, extended unemployment insurance, and created and saved 
more than 1 million jobs.
  We must now build on this progress for continued job growth. 
Yesterday, the President outlined a frame of action to produce the 
greatest number of jobs while generating the greatest value for our 
economy. His top priorities include helping small businesses grow and 
hire new staff, additional investments in our roads, bridges, and 
infrastructure to create shovel-ready jobs, and increased investments 
in clean energy to spawn more green jobs.
  In order to face our unemployment crisis head-on, Congress must 
follow the President's lead by passing a comprehensive jobs recovery 
package.

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