[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 50 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Pages 1767-1768]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

December 6, 2003

    Good morning. This week we received additional reports that 
America's economy is gaining strength.
    In November, our Nation added 57,000 new jobs, and the unemployment 
rate fell to 5.9 percent. In the past 4 months, 328,000 Americans 
started work at new jobs.
    In the third quarter of 2003, worker productivity rose at a 9.4 
percent annual rate, the fastest pace since 1983. Rising productivity 
means rising wages, and productivity gains help companies keep prices 
low, which allows American families to stretch their paychecks further.
    Other economic signs are positive. Surveys show manufacturing 
activity to be at its strongest level in 20 years. Automobile sales rose 
in November. Home construction continues to expand.
    During this season, America's families are planning for the year 
ahead, and they have reason to be optimistic. The American economy 
continues on a solid path of recovery. With strong sales and improving 
profits, companies will continue to hire new workers in the coming year. 
And because of tax relief, all workers will get to keep more of what 
they earn, and small businesses will be able to create more jobs.
    Since 2001, we have cut taxes for everyone who pays income taxes. We 
reduced the marriage penalty in our Tax Code. We raised the child credit 
to $1,000 per child, and we have reduced taxes on dividends and capital 
gains. This tax relief is critical because it keeps more money in the 
hands of workers and small-business owners and others who move this 
economy forward.
    Here in Washington, our responsibility is to make sure this economy 
keeps its momentum, and I will not be satisfied until every person who 
wants to work can find a job. I have proposed a six-point plan to 
strengthen this recovery and bring prosperity to every corner of 
America. In the coming months, I will continue to work with Congress to 
achieve these important measures.
    First, businesses are more likely to hire people if health care for 
workers is affordable. We need to allow small-business owners to join 
together in association health plans, giving them the purchasing power 
of large companies when they shop for health insurance. And we must 
reform the medical liability system so that health care dollars serve 
the interest of patients, not the interests of trial lawyers.
    Second, we need broad legal reforms so frivolous lawsuits don't put 
good companies out of business and good people out of work. The Congress 
should start by enacting class action reform.
    Third, we must reduce unnecessary Government regulation and redtape, 
so businesses can focus on consumers and customers, not on filing out 
paperwork.
    Fourth, Congress should enact a national energy policy so that 
businesses and farms and homeowners can count on a reliable and 
affordable supply of energy and our Nation is less dependent on foreign 
sources of energy.
    Fifth, my administration is pursuing free and fair trade agreements 
so that our products and services can reach new markets and new 
customers overseas.
    Sixth, we should make all the tax relief we have passed permanent. 
The tax relief is scheduled to phase out in coming years if Congress 
does not take action. Tax relief set our economy on the right track, and 
permanent tax relief will keep it on the right track.
    By moving forward on this agenda, we can build on the great progress 
our economy is making. With the confidence and hard work of the American 
people and with the right policies in Washington, there are even 
brighter days ahead for the American economy.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 8:58 a.m. on December 5 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December 6. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
December 5 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office 
of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of 
this address.

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