Press Release

Gutierrez Applauds Record-Breaking Streak of Job Creation

U.S. Economy Has Added Jobs for 49 Straight Months

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the September Employment Report that showed that our unemployment rate remained low at 4.7 percent and the economy created 110,000 new jobs.

“Today’s jobs report shows the continued strength of the American economy. With the upward revisions to July and August, and September’s 110,000 new jobs, we are looking at 49 months—over four straight years—of continued job creation. American workers and businesses should be proud of their contribution to our strong economy and the 8.1 million new jobs we’ve created since the labor market turnaround in August 2003. Our exports are booming, GDP was solid in the second quarter, and the markets have rebounded.

“We must continue to preserve and implement President Bush’s pro-growth policies. We must break down barriers to U.S. exports and open new markets for American goods and services. Passage of pending FTAs will increase our rising exports and extend the benefits of open markets to other American businesses. I am again pleased to be leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Colombia next weekend to examine the mutual benefits of the U.S.-Colombia FTA firsthand. We look forward to working with Congress to pass pending Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and Korea, and extending Trade Promotion Authority. When we break down barriers to trade and investment, we create opportunities for American workers and increase the competitiveness of our economy.”