LOUISVILLE , Ky. -- President Bush told officers and employees of a Louisville company that tax relief encourages investment at the small business level.

In a visit to ISCO Industries Thursday morning, Bush said health savings plans need to be expanded and marketed to help small businesses grow, and he said there needs to be a safe and reliable tax policy that would help employees.

Bush called on Congress to make tax cuts that are set to expire soon to be permanently removed. He said that's for the sake of the economy, Americans and small business owners.

Louisville businessman Rich Gimmel, of Atlas Machine, praised the president's support of bonus depreciation allowances for helping his small business expand. CEO Jeannie Unruh of Mac Construction Company also praised the benefits of bonus depreciation.

After Bush spoke at ISCO, he went to a reception at the Galt House hotel downtown, where the Republican party hoped a $2,000-a-plate luncheon would raise more than $1 million for Bush's re-election effort, Louisville television station WLKY reported.

NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip was scheduled to speak at Thursday's event.

Also, a Louisville high school senior Michael Eady met the president after Air Force One landed at Louisville International Airport just before 10:30 a.m. Eady, 17, will be going to the U.S. Naval Academy next fall. He was awarded the honor of meeting the president for an act of courage and kindness, WLKY reported.

Eady jumped into action after a bad accident, helping everyone stay calm. The teen also is known as a leader at school, and said he's proud to have the honor of shaking hands with Bush.