VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Promotes US Infrastructure Spending

U.S. President Barack Obama has made his third trip this week to build public support for his plan to stimulate¹ the nation's economy. Mr. Obama visited a road construction project near Washington to make his case for spending more federal funds to rebuild infrastructure².
　
President Barack Obama and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine visit construction site of Fairfax County Parkway connector in Springfield, 11 Feb. 2009

President Obama stood near a road being built, in an area long known for traffic congestion³, and said building new infrastructure is a big part of his plan for reviving the economy.

"Look around us. Look at this construction site. Right where we are standing⁴, we are surrounded by unmet needs and unfinished business. In our schools, in our roads, in the systems we employ to treat the sick, in the energy we use to power our homes," he said.

Mr. Obama is proposing what he says is the largest increase in infrastructure spending since President Dwight Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s.

"We will invest more than $100 billion and create nearly 400,000 jobs rebuilding our roads, our railways, our dangerously deficient⁵ dams, bridges and levees," he said.

The president said funding infrastructure projects will also help create jobs in other areas of the economy. He specifically mentioned the Caterpillar⁶ company, which makes much of the heavy equipment used in road projects. Caterpillar recently announced more than 20,000 layoffs⁷.

"And today, the Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar said that if the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan passes, his company would be able to rehire some of those employees," he said.

Mr. Obama is to talk to affected⁸ workers at a Caterpillar factory Thursday in Peoria, Illinois.

"What is at stake here are not abstract numbers or abstract concepts," he said. "We are talking about real families that we can help and real jobs that we can save."

Mr. Obama traveled to Indiana and Florida this week to promote his economic recovery plan.

1 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 congestion   

n.阻塞，消化不良

参考例句：

• The congestion in the city gets even worse during the summer.夏天城市交通阻塞尤为严重。
• Parking near the school causes severe traffic congestion.在学校附近泊车会引起严重的交通堵塞。

4 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

5 deficient   

adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的

参考例句：

• The crops are suffering from deficient rain.庄稼因雨量不足而遭受损害。
• I always have been deficient in selfconfidence and decision.我向来缺乏自信和果断。

6 caterpillar   

n.毛虫，蝴蝶的幼虫

参考例句：

• A butterfly is produced by metamorphosis from a caterpillar.蝴蝶是由毛虫脱胎变成的。
• A caterpillar must pass through the cocoon stage to become a butterfly.毛毛虫必须经过茧的阶段才能变成蝴蝶。

7 layoffs   

临时解雇( layoff的名词复数 )； 停工，停止活动

参考例句：

• Textile companies announced 2000 fresh layoffs last week. 各纺织公司上周宣布再次裁员两千人。
• Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs. 当公司突然宣布裁员时，股票价格便大跌

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。