Douglas Alexander: “my purpose tonight is to say a few words about a 10-day visit to Africa that the Presiding Officer, and I, and four…”

“my purpose tonight is to say a few words about a 10-day visit to Africa that the Presiding Officer, and I, and four other Members of the Senate completed last Friday. But I listened with great interest to the distinguished Senator from Illinois. I did not want him to leave on such a sad note about the economy, and I thought I would give him some late-breaking news. The Wall Street Journal today has a headline: ``Manufacturing Expanded In August.'' The manufacturing sector expanded for the second consecutive month in August, providing further evidence that the economy's hardest-hit sector may finally be on the rebound. I thought it would be important that the Senator have that in mind because we are all deeply concerned about the number of Americans who are looking for jobs and do not have them. The President talked about that on Labor Day. Every one of us, Republican and Democrat, feel that way. This is a piece of good news.”