到２０００年２月，美国经济便踏入第９个持续增长的年头，创下了有史以来经济增长时间最持久的纪录；而失业率则跌到３０年来的新低，贫穷率也达到２０年来的新低。这是美国总统克林顿前不久在发表国情咨文时宣布的。据不完全统计，这９年平均每年增幅都在４％左右。美国许多 By February 2000, the U.S. economy entered the 9th consecutive year of growth, setting the record with the longest period of economic growth in history. The unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in 30 years and its poverty rate hit a new 20-year low . This was announced by U.S. President Clinton not long ago during his State of the Union address. According to incomplete statistics, the average annual increase in these 9 years is about 4%. Many U.S.