The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE YOUTHBUILD TRANSFER ACT” mentioning the Federal Reserve System was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1664 on Sept. 7, 2006.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE YOUTHBUILD TRANSFER ACT
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HON. MAXINE WATERS
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the YouthBuild Transfer Act, S. 3534. The bill amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provides for the transfer of the YouthBuild program from HUD to the Department of Labor. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Castle, Mr. George Miller, Mr. William Lacy Clay and Mr. Dale Kildee who supported this bill. I also want to thank Mr. Frank, Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services for sponsoring the bill.
The YouthBuild Transfer Act will do four important things. It will:
(1) Enable disadvantaged youth to obtain the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities;
(2) Provide disadvantaged youth with opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities;
(3) Foster the development of employment and leadership skills and commitment to community development among youth in low income communities; and
(4) Expand the supply of permanent affordable housing for low-income families by utilizing the energies and talents of disadvantaged youth.
The education, employment, and housing needs of our nation's most vulnerable youth must be one of our highest priorities. Since 1994, the YouthBuild program has awarded $485 million in grants, enabling 47,000 youth to obtain education, training and trade skills related to the building and rehabilitation of affordable housing for low-income families and the homeless. The program has a long track record of proven success, although for the past two years funding has been down 23 percent from $65 million to $50 million. YouthBuild would be extended for five years consistent with other Work Investment Act programs, and would provide for greater flexibility in the use of funds. This program is being extended just as the U.S. Bureau of Census released the most recent data on youth and poverty in the United States.
In August 2006, the U.S. Bureau of the Census reported that the poverty rate for children in the U.S was higher than the rates for people 18 to 64 years and older. Children represent 34.9 percent of the people living in poverty and 25 percent of the total population of the United States. The poverty rate for young children under the age of 6 living in families were 20.0 percent and 4.8 million. Even more astounding is that for those children living in households headed by females 52.9 percent were in poverty, over five times the rate of their counterparts in married families 9.9 percent. For children under 18 living in families headed by females, 42.8 percent were in poverty, compared with 8.5 percent for married couples. Many of us know that these youth are most at risk, and that any public policy or program that is designed to assist these young people as they prepare to enter the workforce is an investment in our future.
So why YouthBuild? The poverty data paints a very vivid picture of what is going on in America. Too many American youth live in poverty, and are robbed of opportunities to take full advantage of all their God-given talents. Even Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, pointed to the fact that the historic causes of poverty and disenfranchisement detrimentally impact our entire nation. When the least among us do well, we know the entire nation benefits. In effect, these youth, who are vital to the economic well-being of this country, are handicapped by poverty, poor education and the lack of strong viable communities with housing that is livable, affordable and safe. YouthBuild is one program that acknowledges the experience of millions of American youth by making real investments in their education, employment skills and leadership development. It also provides housing for the homeless and low-income families that represents another approach to address what is an overlooked group.
The Secretary of Labor is authorized to fund YouthBuild activities through grants for which public and nonprofit entities can compete. In addition, there are provisions in the bill to ensure the orderly transition of the program from HUD to the Department of Labor. In 2005, 14,000 youth were turned away from the YouthBuild program for lack of funding. Over 1000 communities would like to participate in YouthBuild, and this bill will make that happen for many of them.
Mr. Speaker I am convinced that the YouthBuild program represents a major step to refocusing our national resources toward a well-
established vehicle that can provide hope and opportunity for disadvantaged youth in America. These young people deserve every chance, and we must continue to provide opportunities for them to succeed. By better preparing our disadvantaged youth to be competitive and to function in the ever changing global economy we will continue to reduce poverty and strengthen American households. YouthBuild will improve our youth and increase housing opportunity for the homeless. I urge my Colleagues to support the bill.
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