President Barack Obama says Friday's mixed news on U.S. unemployment is cause for hope but not celebration. Tthe president is asking lawmakers to support programs he says will help boost hiring.The nation's jobless rate eased by three-tenths of a percent in January, to 9.7 percent, its lowest level in five months. However, the Labor Department says 20,000 more jobs were lost last month.
President Obama says that is a small step in the right direction.
"These numbers, while positive, are cause for hope but not celebration, because far too many of our neighbors and friends and family are still out of work," he said.
Mr. Obama made the comments at a small mechanical contracting comp
