Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Statement
on January’s Employment Report

TERRE HAUTE, IND.─U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the January Employment Report which showed that the unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent:

“We are not pleased to see the latest snapshot of the jobs picture which shows a down tick in employment. However, the unemployment rate did go down in January. Our economy needs a booster shot and that’s why we can’t delay the President’s bipartisan economic growth package.

“U.S. workers remain vital to our economy’s success. With nearly one million new jobs added over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate remains historically low. Today I’m in Indiana, visiting Clabber Girl and Cummins, Inc., two companies that are successfully adding jobs and promoting exports to boost the economy.

“Congress must act quickly now, more than ever, to pass an economic growth package that is simple, robust and effective. The jobs number today reaffirms the need for speed. The best thing the Senate can do is to pass the bipartisan package overwhelmingly approved by the House. It’s time to get money into the hands of the consumer and strengthen our economy.

“Another way we can strengthen our economy is by passing the trade agreements pending before Congress. In 2007, trade contributed over half a percentage point to total GDP growth─the largest contribution in 16 years. We should be doing everything we can to encourage further export growth. We should open new markets for American workers and exporters so we can continue to grow and prosper. I look forward to working with Congress to pass these agreements.”

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Gutierrez is touring Indiana companies Clabber Girl Corporation and Cummins, Inc. He is discussing the President’s economic stimulus package and how job creation, open markets, exports and trade have benefited these companies and Indiana’s economy and workers.