[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Page 493]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.
    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.