THE PRESIDENT:Good morning.The terrorists who attacked the United Stateson September 11th targeted our economy, as well as our people.They brought downa symbol of American prosperity, but they could not touch its source.Our country'swealth is not contained in glass and steel, it is found in the skill and hard work andentrepreneurship of our people; and those are as strong today as they were two weeksago.

Our economy has had a shock.Many workers lost their jobs this week,especially in the airline and hospitality industries, in restaurants and in tourism, ascompanies struggle to remain afloat.I applaud those companies who are making extraefforts to avoid laying off workers even during difficult times.Many Americans havealso seen the value of their stocks decline. Yet, for all these challenges, the Americaneconomy is fundamentally strong.We have the best-educated, most productive workforce in the world.Our factories produce more goods, and a broader variety of goods,than any country in the world.

Our scientists continue to push forward the frontiers of technology and science,and our entrepreneurs continue to invent new ways to bring these advances tomarket.This is why people from around the world invest in America.

We have taken action to address our year-long economic slowdown.Tax rebatechecks continue to arrive in Americans' mailboxes.The $40 billion in tax relief theserebates represent will nearly double next year to over $70 billion in tax relief, with morein each of the next 10 years, as the child credit gets bigger, tax rates come down, andthe marriage penalty relief kicks in.

You can look forward to an improved business climate in America in the yearsahead.The Federal Reserve has done its job of keeping our financial system strongand stable, cutting interest rates in half in the last eight months.Energy prices haveremained steady.In fact, they are lower now than they were in the spring.

And members of Congress are working together, regardless of party, in the bestAmerican spirit, to help get our economy moving again.The administration andcongressional leaders of both parties have agreed to deliver emergency aid to keep ourairlines flying.This will help the airlines maintain short-term stability as they worktoward long-term viability for the benefit of all the workers and companies that dependon air travel.

And, as well, we can assure the American traveler we are working hard to makesure that a tough new security program is implemented in our airports and ourairplanes.

I appreciate so very much working with Congress to assure the safety of thetravelers in America.I'm also working with Congress to strengthen our broadereconomy and to get Americans back to work. Both parties in both Houses ofCongress are united in our determination to use the fundamental strength of oureconomy to meet our immediate economic challenges.

I'm deeply grateful to Speaker Hastert and Minority Leader Gephardt, to MajorityLeader Senator Tom Daschle, and Senator Trent Lott, for their helpful advice and fortheir constant support, and for their extraordinary service to our country in a difficulttime.

I want to thank America for the outpouring of support.I want to thank America fortheir strong will.And I want to remind the people of America, we're still the greatestnation on the face of the Earth, and no terrorist will ever be able to decide our fate.

May God bless you all, and thank you for listening.

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