    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 22, 2001]
    [Pages 1144-1145]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 22, 2001

        Good morning. The terrorists who attacked the United States on
    September 11th targeted our economy, as well as our people. They brought
    down a symbol of American prosperity, but they could not touch its
    source. Our country's wealth is not contained in glass and steel. It is
    found in the skill and hard work and entrepreneurship of our people, and
    those are as strong today as they were 2 weeks ago.
        Our economy has had a shock. Many workers lost their jobs this week,
    especially in the airline and hospitality industries, in restaurants and
    in tourism, as companies struggle to remain afloat. I applaud those
    companies who are making extra efforts to

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    avoid laying off workers even during difficult times. Many Americans
    have also seen the value of their stocks decline.
        Yet, for all these challenges, the American economy is fundamentally
    strong. We have the best educated, most productive workforce in the
    world. Our factories produce more goods and a broader variety of goods
    than any country in the world. Our scientists continue to push forward
    the frontiers of technology and science, and our entrepreneurs continue
    to invent new ways to bring these advances to market. This is why people
    from around the world invest in America.
        We have taken action to address our yearlong economic slowdown. Tax
    rebate checks continue to arrive in Americans' mailboxes. The $40
    billion in tax relief these rebates represent will nearly double next
    year to over 70 billion in tax relief, with more in each of the next 10
    years as the child credit gets bigger, tax rates come down, and the
    marriage penalty relief kicks in.
        You can look forward to an improved business climate in America in
    the years ahead. The Federal Reserve has done its job of keeping our
    financial system strong and stable, cutting interest rates in half in
    the last 8 months. Energy prices have remained steady. In fact, they are
    lower now than they were in the spring.
        And Members of Congress are working together, regardless of party,
    in the best American spirit, to help get our economy moving again. The
    administration and congressional leaders of both parties have agreed to
    deliver emergency aid to keep our airlines flying. This will help the
    airlines maintain short-term stability as they work toward long-term
    viability for the benefit of all the workers and companies that depend
    on air travel.
        And as well, we can assure the American traveler we are working hard
    to make sure that a tough new security program is implemented in our
    airports and our airplanes.
        I appreciate so very much working with Congress to assure the safety
    of the travelers in America. I'm also working with Congress to
    strengthen our broader economy and to get Americans back to work. Both
    parties in both Houses of Congress are united in our determination to
    use the fundamental strength of our economy to meet our immediate
    economic challenges.
        I'm deeply grateful to Speaker Hastert
    and Minority Leader Gephardt, to
    Majority Leader Senator Tom Daschle and
    Senator Trent Lott for their helpful advice and
    for their constant support and for their extraordinary service to our
    country in a difficult time.
        I want to thank America for the outpouring of support. I want to
    thank America for their strong will. And I want to remind the people of
    America, we're still the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, and
    no terrorist will ever be able to decide our fate.
        May God bless you all, and thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 3:33 p.m. on September 21 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September
    22. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 21 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.