[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 39 (Monday, October 1, 2001)]
[Pages 1357-1358]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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 year long 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

[[Page 1358]]

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.