News & Events

1:54 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming. I'm honored to be here in Columbus, Ohio. I appreciate so very much the warm hospitality. I like to come to good football country. (Applause.) I like to be with good, hard working people, like the people here who are sharing the stage with me. I like to be with entrepreneurs. I like to be in the state where both my grandfathers were raised. My dad's dad was raised right here in Columbus. (Applause.) My mother's dad was raised in Dayton. So I feel quite at home here in the great state of Ohio.

President George W. Bush greets employee Bill Haines during a tour of the Central Aluminum Company in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003. "Congress needs to pass a sound energy plan to help deal with the issues that confront this good company, Central Aluminum," said President Bush during his remarks on energy at the company. White House photo by Eric Draper I appreciate the good folks at Central Aluminum for letting me come and interrupt the work day. (Laughter.) I've got some important things to talk about. The first thing I want to remind people of is we're a great country because we've got great workers in America. The most productive work force in the world is right here in America. (Applause.) Because of the spirit -- the entrepreneurial spirit and the work ethic of America, our economy is strong and it's getting stronger. (Applause.)

The figures for the 3rd quarter -- the economic figures for the 3rd quarter show that the economy grew at an annual rate of 7.2 percent. (Applause.) That's the fastest growth we've had in nearly 20 years. (Applause.) Exports are expanding, investment is rising, housing construction is growing. The tax relief we passed is working. (Applause.)