[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 22 (Monday, May 31, 2004)]
[Pages 942-943]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

May 22, 2004

    Good morning. This week brought further evidence that across 
America, more citizens are finding jobs. The Department of Labor 
reported State-by-State job results, and these figures show that 
America's jobs engine is running strong.
    Nationally, we gained 288,000 new jobs in April, and the Nation has 
added more than 1.1 million new jobs since last August. The unemployment 
rate has fallen steadily and now stands at 5.6 percent, down from 6.3 
percent last June and lower than the average unemployment rate of the 
1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
    In April, the biggest job gaining States were Florida, North 
Carolina, Missouri, and Michigan. Forty-five States out of 50 added new 
workers. In some States, job creation had been strong for many months. 
Florida has gained more than a quarter million new jobs since December 
2001. In Nevada, 90,000 new jobs have been created since January of 
2002, and Missouri has added 57,000 jobs since last summer.
    States that have trailed in job growth are now making progress. 
Wisconsin and Ohio have each added more than 30,000 new jobs this year. 
New Hampshire gained 2,700 new jobs in April alone. And in Oregon, the 
unemployment rate has fallen from a high of 8.7 percent last summer down 
to 6.7 percent in April as the State has added 29,000 new jobs.

[[Page 943]]

    These gains are the result of the hard work of Americans and a 
progrowth, projobs agenda that begins with tax relief. When we let the 
American people keep more of what they earn and save, they put that 
money to good use. They demand more goods and services, which creates 
demand for new workers. Now that our economy is expanding and adding 
more jobs, we need to make sure Americans keep their tax relief.
    Congress has begun to act. The House of Representatives has voted to 
make marriage penalty relief permanent and to keep the expanded 10-
percent bracket. This week the House also voted to make permanent the 
$1,000 per child tax credit which is helping so many families. I 
congratulate the House on these important votes. Now the Senate should 
take action so we do not raise taxes on the American people.
    To sustain our economic growth, we must also ensure affordable and 
reliable sources of energy. To protect consumers against high prices, 
the Department of Energy has established a hotline to gather complaints 
of price gouging. This weekend in Amsterdam, Secretary Spence Abraham is 
meeting with petroleum producers from around the world on actions they 
can take to help the U.S. and global economy. Also, we have reformed 
Federal regulations to allow badly needed improvements and expansion of 
the Nation's petroleum refineries, so that more gasoline can get to the 
market quickly.
    But our Nation must address fundamental energy challenges that have 
built over time. I have increased fuel economy standards for SUVs, vans, 
and pickups. And 3 years ago, I submitted to Congress a national energy 
strategy that would address our long-term energy needs. It called for 
tax incentives for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles, more exploration in 
places like Alaska, and greater use of ethanol, a reliable source of 
energy produced on our farms.
    This national strategy would help make our country less dependent on 
foreign sources of energy. Yet, these measures have been repeatedly 
blocked by Members of the Senate, and American consumers are paying the 
price. Three years is long enough. I urge the Congress to end the delays 
and pass comprehensive energy legislation.
    With the right policies, we will maintain the strong forward 
momentum of the American economy, which is creating thousands of new 
jobs for American workers.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 11:50 a.m. on May 21 at Louisiana 
State University in Baton Rouge, LA, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 
22. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 21 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. 
The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of this address.