[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 11 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Pages 389-390]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Signing the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002

March 9, 2002

    Good morning. I'm speaking to you live from the Rose Garden, where 
I'm about to sign legislation that will give short-term help to workers 
who have lost their jobs and provides long-term stimulus to create more 
jobs across our country.
    I want to thank the Vice President. I want to thank Speaker Hastert, 
Senator Daschle, Senator Lott, Members of the Congress for joining me 
today as I sign this important piece of legislation. Many contributed to 
the success of this bill, but none more than the Speaker, and Chairman 
Bill Thomas.
    Also here today are working men and women, small-business people who 
make this economy run. We're seeing some encouraging signs in the 
economy, but we can't stand by and simply hope for continued recovery. 
We must work for it. We must make sure that our recovery continues and 
gains momentum. We want a recovery that is broad enough and strong 
enough to provide jobs for all our citizens.
    The terrorist attacks of September the 11th were also an attack on 
our economy, and a lot of people lost their jobs. Since then, many laid-
off workers have been relying on unemployment benefits, which normally 
end after 26 weeks. The bill I sign this morning will allow the 
extension of jobless benefits by another 13 weeks, and even longer in 
States with high unemployment rates. This will allow those who lost 
their jobs in the recession or in the aftermath of the September the 
11th attacks more time to pay their bills and support their families 
while they look for work.
    And in order for people to find jobs, businesses need to be hiring. 
So this new law will provide tax incentives for companies to expand and 
create jobs by investing in plant and equipment. This measure will mean 
more job opportunities for workers in every part of our country, 
especially in manufacturing and in high tech and for those who work for 
small businesses. This bill will also stimulate economic growth by 
extending net operating loss rules and by granting some alternative 
minimum tax relief.
    The city of New York suffered a great tragedy on September the 11th 
and still faces major economic consequences. The bill I sign into law 
today provides over $5 billion in tax relief to aid in the recovery of 
lower Manhattan by helping businesses to get back on their feet so they 
can start hiring again. The people of New York have shown great courage, 
perseverance, and America stands with them.
    This Monday marks 6 months since the attack on America. For the 
families of the victims, these have been 6 months of sorrow, and America 
will never forget their loss.
    In our war on terror, these have been 6 months of determined action. 
We have destroyed terrorist camps. We've disrupted terrorist finances. 
We've toppled a terrorist regime and brought thousands of terrorists to 
justice. We are strengthening our Nation's defenses against attack. And 
today we are acting to help workers. We're acting to create jobs, and 
we're acting to strengthen our economy.
    Thank you all for coming, and it is now my honor to sign this 
important piece of legislation.

Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House, and his remarks were broadcast live and served as his weekly 
radio address. H.R. 3090, approved March 9, was assigned Public Law No. 
107-147.

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