VOA常速英语2008年-Bush Says Small Businesses Will Lead US Economi

By Mil Arcega
Washington
21 April 2008
 

President Bush praised the achievements of the nation's small business sector¹ on Friday.   Speaking to the U.S. Chamber² of Commerce, the president pledged continued support for the small business community and outlined steps his administration is taking to insure that small businesses continue to grow.  VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

Small businesses create more than 70 percent of all the new jobs in the United States -- roughly 1.7 million last year.   Speaking to business leaders on Friday, President Bush went a step further and called small businesses -- the economic backbone³ of the U.S. economy.

"Thank you for being dreamers and doers.  One of the reasons I spend a lot of time talking about small business owners in America is because I truly believe you represent what makes America great," Mr Bush said.

Despite the slowdown caused by the U.S. housing crisis -- Mr. Bush assured business leaders that his administration's economic incentives⁴ will ensure that small businesses remain competitive.

"There should be no doubt in anyone's mind though that we'll recover from this slowdown and we're going to bounce back strong and the small businesses of America are going to lead the way," he added.

Millions of Americans will receive rebate⁵ checks - up to $1,800 for some families - starting next month.  Bush says the checks will encourage greater consumer spending and help businesses sell more products.

But the president warned that U.S. lawmakers must take the necessary steps to make sure American businesses succeed. 

Mr. Bush says, "The last thing small business owners need is higher taxes.  I believe strongly that to make sure this economy recovers and stays strong, there needs to be certainty in the tax code.  And the best way for congress to make sure there is certainty is to make the tax relief we passed, permanent."

The president has officially proclaimed April 20th to April 26th, Small Business week to celebrate the achievements of small business owners and recognize their efforts in building the largest economy in the world.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 backbone   

n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气

参考例句：

• The Chinese people have backbone.中国人民有骨气。
• The backbone is an articulate structure.脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

4 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

5 rebate   

v./n.折扣，回扣，退款；vt.给...回扣，给...打折扣

参考例句：

• You can claim a rebate on your tax.你可以要求退回部分税款。
• Customers are to benefit from a rebate on their electricity bills.顾客将从他们的电费退费中得到实惠。