SEC. EVANS TAKES BUSH ECONOMIC GROWTH
MESSAGE TO DALLAS BUSINESS
Calls March Unemployment Report “Disappointing”
and
a “Reason to Act”
Commerce
Secretary Don Evans returned to his home state today to discuss
President Bush’s economic growth and job creation proposal
with Pro-Line employees in Dallas. Evans toured Pro-Line International,
a manufacturer of ethnic hair care products, and told employees
that the President’s plan would cut taxes for all Americans
and approximately 6 million taxpayers in Texas. Evans also saluted
Pro-Line for its achievement in becoming the most respected name
in its industry and he singled out the hard work of Pro-Line’s
employees and said that they were the “reason for the company’s
long term success.”
Evans also commented on this morning’s announcement by the
Labor Department that the unemployment rate remained at 5.8% in
March.
“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.
“Unemployment
at 5.8% 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.”
The
President’s Council of Economic Advisors has said that the
plan will create 1.4 million new jobs in the 18 months following
its approval by the Congress, while some private estimates are higher.
As
he toured Pro-Line, Evans discussed the tax cuts individual taxpayers
would receive. Evans told workers that 92 million Americans would
receive an average of $1,083 in 2003 with more to come in the years
ahead. Evans went on to say that under Bush’s plan, 46 million
couples would receive an average of $1,716 and 34 million families
with children would receive an average tax cut of $1,473.
“President
Bush’s plan for economic growth is exactly what the American
economy needs, precisely when the economy needs it,” said
Evans. “This plan gives money back to the people that need
it the most, American taxpayers and allows Americans to save, invest
or plan for the future will
Evans’ visit to Dallas is the fifteenth city and ninth state
that he has visited since President Bush unveiled his economic growth
and job creation plan in early January.