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President Bush Visits U.S.A. Industries

By Michael Lee, 12, New York
Scholastic Student Reporter

Scholastic Student Reporter Michael Lee interviews Bush supporter Bill Finley. (Photo: Steven Ehrenberg)

Thursday, March 11—President George W. Bush made a special visit to U.S.A. Industries in Bay Shore, New York today. The President chose to visit the car parts factory for a reason: It is a good example of Bush's economic plans.

U.S.A. Industries started in 1985 with just three workers and now has a payroll of 221 employees. President Bush said that his tax cuts help small businesses like U.S.A. Industries grow into a big success story.

New York Governor George Pataki, Congressman Pete King, and a number of other politicians, employees, reporters, and Bush supporters attended the event, held on the factory floor. Employees had worked until 1 a.m. the previous night clearing away machinery and setting up chairs for the big day.

The atmosphere was friendly and supportive, and President Bush appeared relaxed and confident. He talked about the fact that we recovered from the 9/11 attacks, and that the stock market has rebounded. "We've overcome a lot," he said.

President George W. Bush addresses a crowd of supporters and factory workers at U.S.A. Industries in Bay Shore, Long Island, on March 11, 2004. (Photo: Steven Ehrenberg)

He commended the military and said he was very proud of the U.S. workforce. He defended himself on the decision to go to Iraq, and he also defended tax cuts. He said that the tax cuts helped Long Island families.

An employee of U.S.A. Industries spoke about using the money he saved from President Bush's tax cut for home improvement. "Did you hear what Pedro said?" said Bush. "You took your $1,900 in tax relief and put it into your house. I bet you bought some paint, which creates jobs."

After President Bush's speech, the audience was definitely pleased, as people cheered and some even stood on their chairs to applaud.

"I liked [Bush's speech], said supporter Bill Finley as the crowd filed into the parking lot, "because Bush talked about building businesses and acknowledged the military."