Press Release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Statement on November’s Employment Report

HONOLULU—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on the November Employment Report which showed that 132,000 jobs were created in November and that the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent.

"Today's employment report showing that jobs grew by 132,000 in November is further proof that the underlying trends in the labor market remain solid. Additionally, unemployment remains low and job security is at its highest level in five years.

"The President's pro-growth policies and America’s great workers have built the fundamentals for a strong and resilient economy that can withstand all kinds of obstacles. The economy is growing, energy prices have fallen, personal income has increased, and businesses remain confident and strong. The Bush Administration's efforts have worked and will continue to work as long as taxes remain low and we continue to open new markets so businesses can create even more jobs and grow even stronger."

Gutierrez is in Hawaii today and tomorrow to visit several Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities involved in protecting marine wildlife, as well as to tour the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. He will also travel to Korea, December 12-13, and China, December 13-15, to participate in separate bilateral discussions to promote increased trade ties and expanded access for U.S. exports, and address U.S. trade concerns involving market access and intellectual property rights (IPR) protections.