STATEMENT BY COMMERCE SECRETARY DON EVANS ON MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT

“The March unemployment numbers clearly show that America's economy is not growing at its full potential. For that reason, we're redoubling our efforts to pass President Bush's jobs initiative. The President is focused on economic growth and ensuring that those who want a job can find a job.

“5.8% unemployment is the number making headlines today, but the 1.4 million new jobs that will be created under the President’s plan provides some welcome and much-needed news for America’s unemployed workers. Now is the time for Congress to act on the President's plan to ensure that the economic news gets better, the American economy grows stronger and American jobs grow faster. America’s unemployed workers are counting on them to do so.”