    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [August 10, 2002]
    [Pages 1373-1374]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    August 10, 2002

        Good morning. On Tuesday, I will host an economic forum at Baylor
    University, in Texas, to meet with people on the frontlines of the
    American economy. Small-business owners, working people, investors,
    corporate leaders, economists, farmers, and Government policymakers are
    coming together to discuss where our economy stands, the impact of the
    policies we have put in place, and the steps we are taking as we move
    forward.
        After a recession that was beginning as I took office, the terrorist
    attacks of September the 11th, and the corporate scandals that have
    recently come to light, the American economy faces challenges. Yet, the
    great strengths of America are more than equal to its challenges.
    American workers are productive. American entrepreneurs are visionary.
    And we are acting to reach the full potential of our economy.
        These efforts began last year with a tax cut that boosted our
    economy at just the right time and continues to put more money into the
    hands of consumers. I have just signed into law trade promotion
    authority, which I will use to open foreign markets to American goods,
    creating high-paying jobs at home. I worked with Congress to enact new
    laws designed to keep corporate executives and auditors honest and to
    punish those who are not. And we are actively investigating, arresting,
    and prosecuting corporate wrongdoers. And this week, hundreds of
    companies will submit signed statements to the SEC, either verifying
    that their financial records are accurate or letting investors know if
    there are any problems.
        Yet, there is more we must do, more to promote long-term growth and
    create jobs in our economy; more to enforce budget discipline in
    Congress, so we can focus on urgent priorities like the war on terror;
    more to guarantee pension security and improve access to affordable
    health

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    care; more to educate every child for economic and personal success.
        At next week's economic forum, we will discuss all these topics.
    Economists will provide their latest ideas and analysis of the economic
    recovery. But I'm also eager to hear from Americans from all walks of
    life who are working hard to make ends meet during these uncertain
    economic times. And I expect I will get a wide variety of suggestions on
    strengthening the economy.
        Let me tell you about some of the Americans participating in this
    forum. Xavier Teixido, a restaurant owner
    from Delaware--he immigrated to this country from Paraguay when he was 2
    years old and worked his way up in the restaurant business. He was
    recently elected chairman of the board of the National Restaurant
    Association. Maria Sobrino is another
    entrepreneur who will attend the forum. In 1982, she brought her
    mother's traditional Mexican desserts to the U.S. market. Twenty years
    later, she owns a successful food production company in Southern
    California. Mr. Teixido and Mrs. Sobrino will tell us about the
    obstacles small-business owners face and offer opinions about how the
    Federal Government can help small businesses thrive and create more
    jobs.
        Robert London and Jimmie Morgan will also join us at the forum. Robert is a driver for
    UPS down in Waco and a member of the Teamsters. Jimmie works for Boeing
    in Wichita, Kansas, and he has held a number of jobs in the company,
    from factory worker to management. Robert and Jimmie know that more
    trade means more jobs, and they want to be sure our Nation continues to
    open foreign markets to American goods.
        With the help of Xavier Teixido, Maria
    Sobrino, Robert London, Jimmie Morgan, and other
    participants, the economic forum will generate ideas to strengthen our
    economy and make workers and investors more secure. I look forward to
    participating in the discussions and sharing our findings with the
    American people.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10 a.m. on August 9 at the Bush Ranch
    in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August 10. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    August 9 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.