Highlights of Remarks by
U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans
To the Republican Main Street Group

July 25, 2002
Capitol Hill Club
Washington, D.C.

The following quotes can be attributed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans:

· Corporate officers hold offices of high trust and they should face severe penalties when they break the law, and corporate leaders who violate the public trust should never be given that trust again.

· I understand the anguish of American Investors who worked hard all their life…saved…invested…and then got taken to the cleaners. The American people will not stand for this behavior and neither will we. This administration will use the full weight of the law to expose and punish corruption.

· The long-term fundamentals of the economy are sound; Payroll employment has turned higher and unemployment claims have reached their lowest level since early last year; Consumer spending is holding up, and the housing market remains strong; Inflation remains low, helping household purchasing power and keeping interest rates low.

· Now is not the time for Congress to repeal the President’s tax cut. Now is the time to make the tax cut permanent.

· President Bush needs Trade Promotion Authority and he needs it now. Congress needs to pass TPA before returning home to campaign.

· The agenda's full, the time is short, and the nation is watching. Congress must act on President Bush’s legislative agenda before adjourning for the summer.