[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 28 (Monday, July 12, 2004)]
[Pages 1201-1202]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

July 3, 2004

    Good morning. As Americans gather this weekend to celebrate the 
Fourth of July, we can take pride in our country's great history and 
look to the future with confidence. America remains a shining example to 
the world of all that free people can achieve. And our goal as a nation 
is to make sure that all Americans can share in the promise of our 
country.
    Our economy is showing steady progress. We've completed our 10th 
consecutive month of job creation. We added 112,000 jobs in June and 
have added more than 1.5 million new jobs since last August. The 
unemployment rate has steadily declined, to 5.6 percent from 6.3 percent 
a year ago. With more jobs and lower unemployment, we are seeing rising 
consumer confidence, higher incomes, continued gains in the rate of 
homeownership, and a restored sense of opportunity.
    Our strengthening economy is a tribute to millions of American 
entrepreneurs and workers. By their hard work and optimism, our Nation 
has overcome recession, terrorist attack, corporate scandals, and the 
many economic challenges that come in a time of war.
    Our Government is also doing its part. With progrowth policies in 
Washington, we aim to encourage the hard work and optimism of our 
people. With tax relief, we are

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strengthening the spirit of enterprise. When people are allowed to keep 
more of what they earn, that is good for families trying to make ends 
meet, good for businesses looking for new customers, and good for those 
looking for jobs in our expanding economy.
    Now that jobs are coming back, we must build on this progress and 
help American workers and families continue to meet the challenges of 
our changing economy. My plan will help America continue to lead the 
world, help our workers gain the skills they need, and create an 
environment where small businesses will thrive and create new jobs.
    Our first responsibility is not to raise taxes on hard-working 
Americans. All of the tax relief we have passed should be made 
permanent, so families can continue to keep more of what they earn, and 
businesses can plan for the future with confidence. I have a plan to 
help businesses and families with the rising costs of health care and 
reduce the burden of frivolous lawsuits that unnecessarily punish the 
job creators in America. I'm working to open more markets and level the 
playing field for American entrepreneurs and farmers and ranchers.
    Our global economy requires Americans to remain prepared for change 
and innovation. That is why I have proposed to help our public schools 
and community colleges teach our future workers the skills they need to 
succeed. For the sake of economic security and job creation, I proposed 
a national energy policy that encourages conservation and production at 
home and makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy. All of 
these proposals are aimed at helping Americans prepare to meet new 
economic challenges, and I will continue to push the Congress to see 
them enacted into law.
    This Fourth of July weekend, as Americans celebrate our freedom, our 
thoughts are also with the men and women who defend that freedom as 
members of the United States military. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and 
elsewhere, they are fighting terrorists that threaten America and 
helping to build hopeful, democratic societies where the ideology of 
terrorism has no place. Our Nation honors their sacrifice. And one of 
our greatest sources of pride on this Fourth of July is that men and 
women like them wear the uniform of our country.
    I thank all of our service men and women for standing post. I wish 
all Americans a happy Independence Day.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 12:01 p.m. on July 2 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 3. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
July 2 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this 
address.