[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18559]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE ECONOMY

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to address an issue very 
important to millions and millions of people in our country. President 
Bush has ignored our economy, and I point out to Members to look at 
what is happening in the 32nd Congressional District of California. 
Rates of unemployment have gone up dramatically. The national rate is 
about 6.4, and in one of my cities it is up to almost 11 percent.
  What I think we ought to be doing in the House is starting to focus 
in on trying to replenish jobs and bringing back American values that 
our families so sorely need. We have many people serving as reservists 
in the military. Their families are suffering. We need to give them a 
child tax credit break, and we need to increase the minimum wage.
  Madam Speaker, these are hard-working people. They have been 
suffering for over 2 years, and I know they are telling me in a strong 
way across the country that we need to focus on our economy. The rich 
have gotten their tax breaks, but what about the working poor? And what 
about the working-class families that we all represent in our 
districts? I would ask my colleagues to think seriously before we go on 
recess to provide an economic incentive package to help working 
families.

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