    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 26, 2003]
    [Pages 387-388]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    April 26, 2003

        Good morning. As America continues to fight and win the war on
    terror, our Government is also focused on another national priority,
    growing our economy and creating jobs.
        America's economy has been through a lot. We experienced the shock
    of a terrorist attack. We have endured a recession. We had to deal with
    some major corporate scandals. We faced the uncertainty of war, and we
    have seen a slowdown in the global economy, which weakens demand for
    American goods and services. In spite of all of this, the American
    economy is growing and growing faster than most of the industrialized
    world.
        There are great strengths in this economy. Lower interest rates have
    helped more Americans buy their own homes. Gas and other energy prices
    are coming down, and consumers are getting the savings immediately.
    Inflation is low, and America's families are seeing their incomes on the
    rise. The entrepreneurial spirit is healthy in America, as small-
    business men and women put their ideas and dreams into action every day.
    And America's greatest economic strength is the pride, the skill, and
    the productivity of American workers.
        Yet, we know that America's economy is not meeting its full
    potential. We know our economy can grow faster and create new jobs at a
    faster rate. We also know that the right policies in Washington can
    unleash the great strengths of this economy and create the conditions
    for growth and prosperity.
        On Monday, Members of Congress return from recess, and they will
    face some important decisions on the future of our economy. I have
    proposed a series of specific measures to create jobs by removing
    obstacles to economic growth. My jobs-and-growth plan would reduce tax
    rates for everyone who pays income tax, provide relief for families and
    small businesses, and help millions of seniors in retirement by
    eliminating the double taxation of dividends.

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        With a robust package of at least $550 billion in across-the-board
    tax relief, we will help create more than a million new jobs by the end
    of 2004. Some Members of Congress support tax relief but say my proposal
    is too big. Since they already agree that tax relief creates jobs, it
    doesn't make sense to provide less tax relief and, therefore, create
    fewer jobs. I believe we should enact more tax relief so that we can
    create more jobs and more Americans can find work and provide for their
    families.
        Americans understand the need for action. This week in Ohio, I met
    Mike Kovach, whose business is in Youngstown,
    Ohio. Mike started and runs a growing company, wants to hire new people,
    and would benefit from lower taxes. Mike says, ``Anytime you can improve
    the bottom line of Main Street business, it's good for the city; it's
    good for the State; and it's great for the Nation. It all trickles up,
    instead of trickling down.''
        I urge Congress to listen to the common sense of people like Mike
    Kovach. He and tens of millions of Americans
    like him need our help in building the prosperity of our country. Tax
    relief is good for families and good for our entire economy. The jobs-
    and-growth plan I have proposed is fair; it is responsible; it is
    urgent. And Congress should pass it in full.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 11:53 a.m. on April 25 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 26. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    April 25 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.