For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 24, 2003 President Discusses Economy, Jobs in Michigan

White House Press Release

3:29 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for the warm welcome.

Thanks for making America go. (Applause.)...

Mike Gendich is here with us. I had a chance to visit with Mike. He owns a company called Metalmite... He had a backlog of orders of only two-and-a-half weeks over the past three years. His orders are picking up. That's a good sign. See, when the small business guy's orders begin to pick up, he begins to get a little confidence, a little bounce in his step... He's added three workers in the last two months. And now, with tax relief, he's decided he can afford a vertical milling machine, to keep those three workers busy, to make sure they're more productive.

But somebody has got to build that vertical milling machine. And so the some person out there whose job is more secure, or perhaps a new job, thanks to the fact that Mike is taking advantage of the tax relief. And that's what's important for our fellow citizens to know. There's a ripple effect throughout our economy. As people make decisions, whether you're a consumer, or whether you're a small business owner trying to buy a machine, it affects economic vitality and growth. It affects more than just one life. And that's the whole purpose of the tax plan, was to have a ripple effect throughout the economy that's positive and far-reaching...

  ...my main focus is making sure our citizens can find a job, and I believe it's going to happen. See, I believe in the future of the country in all aspects because I know the character of our people.

 This is a fabulous land, and I am so honored to be the President of the greatest country on the face of the Earth.

Thank you for coming. Thank you for giving me a chance. May God bless. Thank you all. (Applause.)