    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [March 9, 2002]
    [Pages 373-374]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002
    March 9, 2002

        Good morning. I'm speaking to you live from the Rose Garden, where
    I'm about to sign legislation that will give short-term help to workers
    who have lost their jobs and provides long-term stimulus to create more
    jobs across our country.
        I want to thank the Vice President. I want
    to thank Speaker Hastert, Senator
    Daschle, Senator Lott, Members of the Congress for joining me today as I sign
    this important piece of legislation. Many contributed to the success of
    this bill, but none more than the Speaker, and Chairman Bill
    Thomas.
        Also here today are working men and women, small-business people who
    make this economy run. We're seeing some encouraging signs in the
    economy, but we can't stand by and simply hope for continued recovery.
    We must work for it. We must make sure that our recovery continues and
    gains momentum. We want a recovery that is broad enough and strong
    enough to provide jobs for all our citizens.
        The terrorist attacks of September the 11th were also an attack on
    our economy, and a lot of people lost their jobs. Since then, many laid-
    off workers have been relying on unemployment benefits, which normally
    end after 26 weeks. The bill I sign this morning will allow the
    extension of jobless benefits by another 13 weeks, and even longer in
    States with high unemployment rates. This will allow those who lost
    their

    [[Page 374]]

    jobs in the recession or in the aftermath of the September the 11th
    attacks more time to pay their bills and support their families while
    they look for work.
        And in order for people to find jobs, businesses need to be hiring.
    So this new law will provide tax incentives for companies to expand and
    create jobs by investing in plant and equipment. This measure will mean
    more job opportunities for workers in every part of our country,
    especially in manufacturing and in high tech and for those who work for
    small businesses. This bill will also stimulate economic growth by
    extending net operating loss rules and by granting some alternative
    minimum tax relief.
        The city of New York suffered a great tragedy on September the 11th
    and still faces major economic consequences. The bill I sign into law
    today provides over $5 billion in tax relief to aid in the recovery of
    lower Manhattan by helping businesses to get back on their feet so they
    can start hiring again. The people of New York have shown great courage,
    perseverance, and America stands with them.
        This Monday marks 6 months since the attack on America. For the
    families of the victims, these have been 6 months of sorrow, and America
    will never forget their loss.
        In our war on terror, these have been 6 months of determined action.
    We have destroyed terrorist camps. We've disrupted terrorist finances.
    We've toppled a terrorist regime and brought thousands of terrorists to
    justice. We are strengthening our Nation's defenses against attack. And
    today we are acting to help workers. We're acting to create jobs, and
    we're acting to strengthen our economy.
        Thank you all for coming, and it is now my honor to sign this
    important piece of legislation.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. His remarks were broadcast live and served as his weekly radio
    address. H.R. 3090, approved March 9, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    147. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.