Skip to main content

Bishop Statement on February Jobs Report

March 4, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement after the Labor Department released the February Jobs Report, showing that the economy added 192,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate dropped to 8.9%, the lowest since April 2009. On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Labor reported that Georgia’s unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percent in January to 10.4%.

“The latest jobs report is further indication that while the national economy appears to be moving in the right direction. Georgia and the 2nd Congressional District would be worse off without the bold action we took to prevent another Great Depression, but clearly, there is much work left to do before our recovery is complete.

"Our first, second and third priority must be job creation and strong economic growth, not ideological battles over wedge issues that distract us from what our number one priority should be. The 12 consecutive months of private sector job growth is encouraging, and going forward, we need to ensure that our small businesses, rural areas and our minority communities have access to the tools and resources they need to create jobs and grow our local economy.

"I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will come together and start focusing on job creation for all Americans. We need to build on this momentum and ensure that this recovery touches every community.”

###