"Today does not mark the end of our economic troubles. Nor does it constitute all of what we must do to turn our economy around. But it does mark the beginning of the end - the beginning of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs; to provide relief for families worried they won't be able to pay next month's bills; and to set our economy on a firmer foundation, paving the way to long-term growth and prosperity."

- President Barack Obama, 2/17/09, Denver, CO

One year ago, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law to rescue, rebuild, and strengthen our struggling national economy (P.L. 111-5). Eight years of failed fiscal policies and misguided economic priorities had left our national economy on the brink of disaster, and now - just one year later - our economy is on the brink of recovery. The Recovery Act is creating and protecting good-paying jobs; making investments in America's future; and cutting taxes for working families. The Recovery Act is also delivering transparency and accountability to guarantee that all taxpayer money is invested responsibly.

While the economy is starting to show some growth and recover from the worst financial and economic crisis since the Great Depression, a real economic recovery is not possible without long-lasting, meaningful job creation. That's why Senate Democrats are committed to putting America back to work and strengthening our economy. With more than 40 percent of Recovery Act funds yet to be expended, Americans can expect the Recovery Act to continue support jobs and spur additional job creation in the upcoming year. In addition, Senate Democrats recently unveiled a jobs agenda that includes a series of measures to create jobs right now. Throughout 2010, Democrats will work to pass legislation that builds upon the Recovery Act and creates jobs. We will not stop until every American who wants a job can get one. We'll keep coming back to address job creation again and again because this issue requires a committed effort.

Recovering from the economic crisis that we inherited will not happen overnight, but you can click below for a sampling of local success stories that demonstrate the real-life impacts that the Recovery Act has already had in your state.