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.
“FLEXIBILITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1908 on Sept. 21, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FLEXIBILITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS ACT
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speech of
HON. GENE GREEN
of texas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker and members, I rise today in support of the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act because it is the right thing to do.
This bill provides greater flexibility to the National Emergency Grants Program at the Department of Labor.
This will enable communities that are assisting evacuees to increase employment opportunities for evacuees.
For example, this legislation will allow temporary employment of evacuees in positions that are not directly related to the disaster.
While thousands of jobs will be created in rebuilding New Orleans, the Houston area has an estimated 200,000 evacuees in the area. If we pass this bill today, we will be able to offer these people more job opportunities for a longer period of time.
We hope those who want to return and help rebuild New Orleans will do so.
However, we also expect many evacuees will find it easier to settle in Houston now that there are opportunities to find housing and employment.
The State of Texas has already processed over 49,000 calls from evacuees seeking unemployment benefits since the evacuation started.
Texas, and especially Houston, need this bill to pass in order to help these people find employment.
I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.
Those of us with large numbers of evacuees in our districts need this change to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina rebuild their lives rebuild their lives.
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