the rate of productivity growth in the United States has declined during four of the past six years;

the decline in the rate of productivity growth has contributed to inflation, to economic stagnation, and to increasing unemployment;

since 1965, the rate of productivity growth of the United States has been consistently lower than that of many industrial nations in the world, adversely affecting the competitive position of the United States in world markets;

growth in productivity of the economy of the United States is essential to the social and economic welfare of the American people, and to the health of the world economy;

growth in the productivity of the Nation’s economy is essential to maintain and increase employment, to stabilize the cost of living and to provide job security;