[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
[August 10, 2006]
[Pages 1503-1504]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the National Economy in Green Bay
August 10, 2006

    John, thank you very much for your 
hospitality.
    I understand that the small-business sector of our economy is vital 
for economic growth. And that's why we cut taxes on people like--on 
businesses like John's business. See, when you 
reduce the income taxes, you affect many small businesses. And when he's 
got more money in his treasury to invest, the workers become more 
productive.
    The reason why this company is successful is, one, they've got a 
good product; but, more importantly, they've got a workforce that is 
skilled and capable and treated well.
    The bonus appreciation--accelerated depreciation schedules we passed 
for small businesses helped John buy new 
equipment. And when you buy new equipment, it helps the folks behind me 
become more productive; and the more productive you are, the better 
wages you make.
    And so I'm here to herald small businesses in America and to remind 
the American people that by cutting taxes on small businesses, it 
encourages small businesses to grow. John was 
telling me they hired five new people over the past 3 weeks, and he's 
looking for more workers, workers that can do the job necessary to put 
out a good product.
    I also want to make it clear that Congress needs to keep the taxes 
low on the working people. I'd much rather have these people spend their 
own money than the Government. We've got ample money in Washington to do 
what we need to do. And therefore, in my judgment, it's better that the 
folks behind me who are working hard have more money so they can save 
and invest and spend as they see fit. So I'm here to herald the tax cuts 
as they affected the small businesses of America but also as they affect 
the families of Wisconsin and America.

[[Page 1504]]

    John, I want to thank you. I'm impressed by 
your operations. I particularly want to thank your workers for giving me 
a chance to come by and meet you. America is blessed by having a highly 
skilled workforce like we have, and that enables us to compete. This is 
a competitive company. It's a company that can't fill every order it 
gets because they're constrained by being able to find enough workers. 
It's one of the issues that faces America: Can we compete? And one way 
we compete is to make sure our education system educates people who've 
got the skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st century, just like 
they're being filled here at this company.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:29 a.m. at Fox Valley Metal-Tech, Inc. 
Participating in the event was John E. West, president, Fox Valley 
Metal-Tech, Inc.