    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 3 (Monday, January 21, 2002)]
    [Page 59]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's Radio Address

    January 12, 2002

        Good morning. We have entered a busy season here in Washington.
    Soon, Congress will be back in session. I will go to the Capitol to
    report on the State of our Union, and I will present a budget that sets
    the priorities of our Government for fiscal year 2003.
        Our highest priorities are clear to all. We must give our military
    every tool and weapon it needs to prevail in the war against terror. We
    must strengthen our country's defenses against further attack with a
    comprehensive program of homeland security. And we must get our
    country's economy growing and creating jobs once again.
        The economy is a concern for all Americans, especially for those out
    of work. These Americans need extra help. My economic plan proposes an
    additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits for workers who
    have lost their jobs and direct assistance to protect their health
    insurance.
        My plan is based on the simple truth that people out of work need an
    unemployment check, but what they need even more is a steady paycheck.
    So I have joined with Republicans and Democrats in proposing concrete
    steps to create more jobs and help spur more growth in the economy. The
    House passed this plan; the Senate needs to act on it.
        Difficult economic times brings hardship to many other Americans, as
    well, single moms or disadvantaged young people trying to get into the
    workforce. My budget seeks to help them, too, by adding resources to
    vital programs that have proven their value. One of our Government's
    most effective services is the Women, Infants, and Children program,
    which counsels mothers on nutrition and health care for their children.
    In my budget for the coming fiscal year, I will propose an increase of
    $364 million for the WIC program. This will be enough to serve nearly 8
    million women and children each month.
        Another vital program is the Job Corps, which provides employment
    training to more than 72,000 disadvantaged young Americans. In my
    budget, I will ask Congress for an additional $73 million to expand the
    good work of the Job Corps. This will help to pay for new residential
    training centers. We will also secure high school accreditation for Job
    Corps training so that more young people can have the advantage of a
    high school diploma.
        These are some of the elements of the budget I will be sending to
    Congress. My budget focuses on the pressing needs of our country and on
    the basic needs of our citizens. I am committed to building a strong
    economy that spreads its benefits to everyone. This goal reaches beyond
    politics or party, and I'm confident that Congress will join me in the
    work ahead.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 3:20 p.m. on January 11 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 12. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 11 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.