STATEMENT FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS HIGHLIGHTS TODAY’S DATA
ON DURABLE GOODS ORDERS

“The economic recovery is sending some much-needed relief to our manufacturers. Today's numbers are yet another sign that President Bush's tax relief policies are taking hold. Factory orders are up, retail sales are brisk and more than half a million Americans have started jobs since January. Raising taxes would simply turn back the clock and end this positive momentum.”

Note: Today, the Commerce Department released data showing that durable goods orders rose 3.4 percent in March, well above market expectations. Durable goods are manufactured items, like cars and machinery, that are expected to last at least three years.