Nation’s Food Retailers Urge Congress to Approve Bush Economic Recovery Plan

Washington, DC — Oct. 12, 2001 — “The supermarket industry strongly supports President Bush’s economic recovery plan. Fast, decisive action is needed immediately to stimulate business growth and consumer spending,” said Food Marketing Institute (FMI) president and CEO today as the House Ways and Means Committee is marking up a plan.

“President Bush’s plan provides an economic boost to virtually every family and business in America. Accelerating the tax cuts and depreciation will preserve and create precious jobs. It will provide much-needed relief for millions of family-owned businesses, including food retailers across America.

“We must recognize two important realities in today’s much-changed world. First and foremost, our nation’s survival and prosperity depend on the power of unity. We need a united Congress working with the president to give our economy a broad-based stimulus.

“The second reality is the need to act swiftly. If we are to restore consumer confidence in our economy, we must provide leadership that shows the government is moving quickly using every resource available. Approving President Bush’s economic stimulus plan now would send a strong, positive message to consumers.”

FMI is a leading member of the Tax Relief Coalition, which has endorsed the Bush plan. The association is among the 10 leaders on the Steering Committee of the 1,000-member coalition.
          

About FMI

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.FMI.org