Obama says economic recovery will help minorities

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama says the best way to help hard-hit minority communities is to help the entire nation thrive.

Obama was asked Wednesday about his specific plans to help black communities, which tend to have higher unemployment rates than whites.

The president said the economic stimulus plan approved by Congress will tend to help the nation's vulnerable communities the most, and that blacks and Hispanic people tend to be over-represented in those groups. He said additional money is going to such services as community health centers, extended unemployment aid and health insurance coverage for people who have lost their jobs.

He said his goal is to make the economy strong so that the lives of all Americans improve.