The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation:

Good morning, everyone. Thank you, Senator Hutchinson, for that great introduction. Thank you to our special guests for your spot-on comments Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Mayor Mike Rawlings, Bob Montgomery, and Gary Kelly. And thank you, all, for joining us this morning.

For my part, Im thrilled to be back in Dallas and Im proud to represent President Obama at todays Jobs Council Listening and Action Session. The president established his Jobs Council so that he and we in the cabinet could hear from Americas job-creators about how we can put people to work, spur economic development, and restore Americas long-term economic competitiveness. One thing thats become crystal clear is that investments in Americas transportation system are both essential for job-creation today and critical to American businesses and economy over the long-run.

Now, the progress underway at Love Field is the perfect example of how transportation projects can create jobs, support small businesses, and foster growth and prosperity. First, in the short run, the Love Field revitalization project is responsible for more than 6,000 local jobs. This is a major shot in the arm for the economy here and across the country. After all, we know that for every single worker employed on a transportation job site, three more workers have jobs supplying and supporting them.

Second, once this project is completed, it will not only welcome passengers to a state-of-the-art airport facility; it will double the number of airport concession stands which is great for local businesses. This same process is taking place across America. When we build a new roadway, railway, or transit system, businesses emerge all along the route. In turn, these businesses hire more workers. Its like Kevin Costner said in that Iowa cornfield: If you build it, they will come.

Third, over the long-term, the new Love Field will strengthen Dallas-Fort Worths economic competitiveness. It will help prepare the region to meet its 21st century demand for a modern alternative to DFW.

The fact is: Transportation isnt just a convenient way of rebuilding our economy. Its a necessity. If we dont invest in transportation projects, commuters and entrepreneurs will find Americas arteries of commerce clogged. We simply cant build a 21st century economy on 20th century transportation systems.

Finally, let me point out that this project was largely financed by bonds backed by Southwest Airlines so the people of Dallas receive the benefits with fewer public resources on the hook. This is exactly the kind of project President Obama and I would like to see more of.

So, let me close by echoing what President Obama said yesterday: When it comes to our nations infrastructure our roadways, railways, transit systems, and airports we shouldnt just be playing patch-up or catch-up. We should be leading the world.

In 2005, the World Economic Forum ranked Americas infrastructure the best in the world. Today, they rank us 15th. Highways and bridges are crumbling due to neglect. The daily commute has grown longer, more congested, and more expensive. Airport delays drag on and on.

Whats more, if Congress doesnt act, Americas transportation program will expire at the end of September. That means funding for highway construction, bridge repair, and other essential projects will stop. It means 5,000 workers will be immediately furloughed without pay. And it means as many as 1 million construction workers could lose their jobs over the course of the next year.

This prospect is simply unacceptable. Its unacceptable for a nation that has always dreamed big and built big to let our roads disintegrate. Its unacceptable for a generation that inherited the best infrastructure in the world to pass on to our children crumbling roads and bridges.

Now is the time for Congress to pass a Transportation Jobs Bill. With interest rates low and a million construction workers unemployed, now is the time to get serious about building for the future.

Today, we have choices to make not between policies on the left or right, but between an economic recovery that rolls forward or slips backward. We must decide whether to invest for the future or to continue relying on the infrastructure of yesterday. We must decide whether to do big things or to do nothing. Lets choose wisely. And lets leave the legacy of an economy on the move and a future that American is prepared to win. Thank you very much.