Over the weekend, President Barack Obama delivered remarks about the unemployment crisis at Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards in Washington, D.C. Sept 24.

During his speech, the President stressed the importance of passing the American Jobs Act, to put more people back to work, and more money back in the pockets of people who are working.

On the American Jobs Act:

We’ve got millions of unemployed Americans and young people looking for work but running out of options.  So this jobs bill says, let’s give them a pathway, a new pathway back to work.  Let’s extend unemployment insurance so that more than six million Americans don’t lose that lifeline.  But let’s also encourage reforms that help the long-term unemployed keep their skills sharp and get a foot in the door.  Let’s give summer jobs for low-income youth that don’t just give them their first paycheck but arm them with the skills they need for life.

Tell me why we don’t want the unemployed back in the workforce as soon as possible.  Let’s pass this jobs bill, put these folks back to work.”

On needing the help and determination of the Congressional Black Caucus in supporting and helping pass the American Jobs Act:

With patient and firm determination, I am going to press on for jobs.  I’m going to press on for equality.   I’m going to press on for the sake of our children.  I’m going to press on for the sake of all those families who are struggling right now.  I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself.  I don’t have time to complain.  I am going to press on.

I expect all of you to march with me and press on.  Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes.  Shake it off.  Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying.  We are going to press on.  We’ve got work to do, CBC.

Watch Obama’s speech below

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