For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 10, 2002
President Discusses Economic Forum in Radio Address
Radio Address of the President to the Nation
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On Tuesday, I will host an economic
forum at Baylor University, in Texas, to meet with people on the front
lines of the American economy. Small business owners, working people,
investors, corporate leaders, economists, farmers and government policy
makers are coming together to discuss where our economy stands, the
impact of the policies we have put in place, and the steps we are
taking as we move forward.
After a recession that was beginning as I took office, the
terrorist attacks of September the 11th and the corporate scandals that
have recently come to light, the American economy faces challenges.
Yet, the great strengths of America are more than equal to its
challenges. American workers are productive, American entrepreneurs
are visionary, and we are acting to reach the full potential of our
economy.
These efforts began last year with a tax cut that boosted our
economy at just the right time, and continues to put more money into
the hands of consumers. I have just signed into law Trade Promotion
Authority, which I will use to open foreign markets to American goods,
creating high paying jobs at home. I worked with Congress to enact new
laws designed to keep corporate executives and auditors honest, and to
punish those who are not. And we are actively investigating, arresting
and prosecuting corporate wrongdoers.
And this week, hundreds of companies will submit signed statements
to the SEC, either verifying that their financial records are accurate,
or letting investors know if there are any problems.
Yet, there is more we must do: more to promote long-term growth
and create jobs in our economy; more to enforce budget discipline in
Congress, so we can focus on urgent priorities like the war on terror;
more to guarantee pension security and improve access to affordable
health care; more to educate every child for economic and personal
success.
At next week's economic forum, we will discuss all these topics.
Economists will provide their latest ideas and analysis of the economic
recovery. But I'm also eager to hear from Americans from all walks of
life, who are working hard to make ends meet during these uncertain
economic times. And I expect I will get a wide variety of suggestions
on strengthening the economy.
Let me tell you about some of the Americans participating in this
forum. Xavier Teixido, a restaurant owner from Delaware, he immigrated
to this country from Paraguay when he was two years old, and worked his
way up in the restaurant business. He was recently elected Chairman of
the Board of the National Restaurant Association.
Maria Sobrino is another entrepreneur who will attend the forum.
In 1982, she brought her mother's traditional Mexican desserts to the
U.S. market. Twenty years later, she owns a successful food
production company in Southern California.
Mr. Teixido and Mrs. Sobrino will tell us about the obstacles small
business owners face, and offer opinions about how the federal
government can help small businesses thrive and create more jobs.
Robert Landon and Jimmie Morgan will also join us at the forum.
Robert is a driver for UPS down in Waco, and a member of the
Teamsters. Jimmie works for Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, and he has held
a number of jobs in the company, from factory worker to management.
Robert and Jimmie know that more trade means more jobs, and they want
to be sure our nation continues to open foreign markets to American
goods.
With the help of Xavier Teixido, Maria Sobrino, Robert Landon,
Jimmie Morgan and other participants, the economic forum will generate
ideas to strengthen our economy, and make workers and investors more
secure. I look forward to participating in the discussions and sharing
our findings with the American people.
Thank you for listening.
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