Well, good afternoon, and since American Business Women's Day is your day, a heartfelt congratulations. Our thanks, as well, to Senator Jepsen and Congressman Tom Tauke who introduced the resolution calling for an American Business Women's Day and to the other Members of the Congress here today who supported their efforts. In recent decades more and more American women have entered the work force until today, more than half of all women over 16 work outside the home. Workmen work in all sectors of the economy, at all kinds of jobs.
Women entrepreneurs make up the fastest growing segment of the small business community.
They own businesses from construction companies to clothing stores to coal mines. And today our nation honors you, American businesswomen, for your achievements in business, for your contributions to our nation's economic vitality, and for paving the way for future generations. The economy was pretty sick when we came into office, and as the doctor on the case I'm pleased to report that the patient is not only out of bed but back on the job. And we couldn't do it just by saying take two aspirins and get a good night's sleep. Inflation, which was running in double digits when George Bush and I were inaugurated, has dropped to 2.4 percent for the last 12 months, and that's the lowest annual 12-month rate in more than a decade and a half.