    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [December 5, 1997]
    [Page 1723]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1723]]

    Statement on the National Economy
    December 5, 1997

        The November employment report shows the economy is the strongest it
    has been in a generation, with the lowest unemployment rate in a quarter
    century, nearly 14 million new jobs in the last 5 years, and real wages
    rising again. Today's good news--strong job creation and higher
    incomes--shows that the American economy continues to work for working
    families. It is clear that our three-part economic strategy--reducing
    the deficit, investing in people, and opening foreign markets to
    American goods--is the right strategy for America.
        Most importantly, this economic prosperity is helping all Americans;
    for example, the unemployment rate among Hispanics fell to one of its
    lowest levels ever recorded. And over the past year we had more new
    manufacturing jobs than during any other year in nearly three decades.
    While the economy is growing steady and strong, we still have more to do
    to keep our Nation on the right track and ensure that all Americans have
    the opportunity to benefit from this growth.