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OPA News Release: [03/08/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s Statement
on February
Unemployment Numbers
Calls on Senate to Pass Economic
“Trifecta”
WASHINGTON –U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
issued the following statement on the drop in the unemployment rate from 5.6
percent to 5.5 percent for February 2002:
“This drop in unemployment, coupled with rising payroll employment,
is another glimmer of good news for American workers. Not only is our economy
recovering, but new jobs are being created as well.
“This administration has been working to bring about an economic
recovery that produces jobs for those who remain unemployed. We can see this
reflected in today’s statistics: Motor vehicle manufacturing increased by
26,000 jobs; Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full percentage point in
February. As employers start to feel that the economy is on the road to
recovery, we hope that payroll employment will continue to climb.
“Congress also has an important role to play in delivering the
effects of the recovery to American workers. It took a major step today with
the passage of the economic stimulus package. But the Senate needs to complete
the ‘trifecta’ – by passing the President’s energy plan as
well as Trade Promotion Authority.”
For more information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’
unemployment data, please go to www.dol.gov.
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