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“DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1612 on Aug. 3, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996
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speech of
HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, August 2, 1995
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes:
Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the proposed cuts in various Labor Department programs that are affected in title I of this bill.
Among the most outrageous are the massive cuts in worker training programs. Cuts in adult job training, a 22-percent reduction in appropriations for the School-to-Work Program, and a reduction in funds for dislocated worker programs send a clear message to the American worker: Congress is not willing to invest in your human capital. Also through the gag rule in this bill Congress does not want to listen to your rightful grievances.
What is worse is the lack of concern this bill displays over the needs of our working youth. This appropriations bill zeros out funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program--effectively making this summer, the summer of 1995, the last year of operation for this program. It would be a tragedy for me to have to return to my district in Houston this August recess and relay the message to the working youth that benefit from this program: Enjoy your jobs while you have them this summer, kids. This will be the last year you'll have this opportunity.
The Summer Youth Employment Program works. This program reduces the number of teens that participate in gang activity and other nonconstructive behaviors during the summer months. It is better that the income from this program be used to enhance youthful opportunities for employment, challenges them with responsibilities, and provides them with an enhanced sense of self-worth.
I find the labor provisions of this bill to be a serious threat to a longstanding commitment to invest in our people--this is a tragedy as we move toward the 21st century. Shame. Shame. Shame.
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