Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, April 16, 2003

ST. LOUIS - Senator Kit Bond today welcomed President George W. Bush to St. Louis and backed his call for an economic growth package to get the economy moving again.

Bond introduced the President to a crowd of workers at Boeing in St. Louis, home of the assembly lines for the U.S. Air Force's F-15 Eagle and the U.S. .Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

"Our commander-in-chief and our troops could be strong overseas because of the excellent work done right here in St. Louis," said Bond, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. "The seeds of our victory were planted right here."

Bond seconded the President's call for an economic growth package that leads to the employment of every American willing and able to work.

"We need to create a tax code that rewards hard work, risk-taking and entrepreneurship," said Bond, also a member of the Senate Small Business Committee. "The American economy is not growing as fast as it should and we must redouble our efforts to create the conditions for more growth," said Bond.

Bond said tax cuts were necessary to help the economy recover from the twin blows of the 9-11-01 terrorist attacks and the recession that followed. "Our economy got hammered and needs some stimulus to get rolling again. I am confident the President and Congress can agree on a final tax cut number that balances the need for growth against all appropriate restraints in spending."

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor before his election to the U.S. Senate, where he now serves in his third term.