[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 4, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4171-H4175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  NATIVE SAMOAN-AMERICAN JTPA PROGRAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bilbray). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 4, 1995, the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. 
Faleomavaega] is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the 
minority leader.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve as much time as I may 
consume and ask unanimous consent to include extraneous materials. I 
rise today to talk about welfare reform and in particular a JTPA 
program that is earmarked for elimination in the Republicans' 
rescission bill H.R. 1158.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about a program that provides 
assistance to the Samoan-American community in three States--the Samoan 
Service Providers Association [SSPA] in the State of Hawaii, National 
Office of Samoan Affairs [NOSA] in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange 
County, and San Diego--the State of California, and the American-Samoan 
Comprehensive Employment Program [ASCEP] in the State of Washington, a 
tristate program that assists training and retraining of Pacific 
Islanders for employment and community development.
  [[Page H4172]] Let me begin by stating the statement of purpose of 
the Jobs Training Partnership Act [JTPA], and it states:

       It is the purpose of this Act to establish programs to 
     prepare youth and adults facing serious barriers to 
     employment for participation in the labor force by providing 
     job training and other services that will result in increased 
     employment and earnings, increased educational and 
     occupational skills, and decreased welfare dependency, 
     thereby improving the quality of the work force and enhancing 
     the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.

  Mr. Speaker, this is what the JTPA program is supposed to do, prepare 
disadvantaged youth and adults by training them and in some cases 
retraining for entrance into the work force. It is the government's 
responsibility, to associate programs and community needs. The future 
of our great country depends on providing our people with the education 
and skills, in channeling our greatest asset--people, to maintain our 
work force, our economy and our communities. This great country is a 
melting pot of cultures and ethnic races each contributing something 
special to our country, our communities and our workplace to benefit 
generations to come.
  Why do we have a program that targets a special population? Because 
the previous system did not cater for them. Because the previous system 
did not provide for diversity, sensitivity and competence. It was made 
possible by federal government oversight to ensure that the needs of 
this small population was met.
  Mr. Speaker, I agree that we must look at reforming much of our 
welfare system and to look to make it equitable and fair, in terms of 
how it is funded and the distribution of those funds for the betterment 
of society and local communities. I agree it is time to hold onto what 
is right and what works, and to cut off or sift through that which 
impedes the course of action of turning our people into productive and 
responsible citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, the course of action that H.R. 1158 proposes is not only 
ridiculous, but it is dangerous. This Republican led Congress has raced 
ahead to complete their Contract with America at the expense of many 
hard-earned programs. Already we are experiencing the results of rushed 
legislation, staffers too tired to check the bills, Republican 
legislators who now realize that this rescission bill includes programs 
they had not intended to be affected--now they want to raise amendments 
and reinstate that funding. There is reason for long serious 
deliberation--to
 avoid any loopholes and ensure that the legislation is in agreement to 
the intent.

  I honestly do not believe that there has been much thought especially 
to the consequences, the long-term effects, that many of the proposed 
rescissions will force upon current and future recipients of welfare.
  Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned over the ramifications that H.R. 
1158 will have on the local Samoan communities in Hawaii, California, 
and Washington. A JTPA program that serves and has the support of the 
community--and all of a sudden we want to cut it off completely. Let us 
proceed with caution--the people of America sent out a clear message 
when we debated health care reform in the 103d Congress. Let us not 
rush into this until we have reviewed these important issues.
  Mr. Speaker, when the JTPA program for the Samoan-Americans was 
established, the intent was to provide an agency that was competent, 
sensitive and attentive to the needs of the people from the Pacific. 
Based on the 1984-85 Department of Labor study ``Unemployment, Poverty 
and Training Needs of American-Samoans,'' office personnel in existing 
services and programs knew little about the unique aspects of the 
Samoan culture and tradition. Our people found that employment training 
agencies were not user friendly and that the environment was 
insensitive and not what they were expecting in terms of receiving 
help. There was a little attempt by employment programs to overcome 
this industry-wide shortage of Samoan-American staff who could liaison 
with participants and organizers. Programs did not contain a bilingual 
element--in most cases Samoan-Americans required language training and 
therefore were at an immediate disadvantage if a program lacked this 
bilingual component. They found that the cultural differences and 
indifferences for the training needs were not met by JTPA personnel.
  As a result of this, Mr. Speaker, Senator Inouye, helped pass 
legislation that provided for a special job training and employment 
program for Native Samoan-Americans residing in the United States. This 
is the only JTPA program that provides assistance to Samoan-Americans.
  I would like to take this opportunity to refresh my colleagues on the 
history surrounding this program and to bring them up to date on the 
success of the JTPA Native Samoan-American program.
  In 1988, Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii introduced an amendment to 
include Samoan-Americans in the JTPA Native American Programs under 
title IV(A) of the JTPA Act. However, by the time this amendment passed 
Congress, the program was funded as a discretionary program under title 
IV(D) of the JTPA Act as a pilot and demonstration project.
  In 1991, Senators Paul Simon, Ted Kennedy and Strom Thurmond included 
a provision in S. 2055 Job Training and Basic Skills Act, to amend the 
JTPA Act to include Native Samoan-Americans and those residing in the 
United States in the Native American Program. Unfortunately, when the 
bill went to conference on July 29 to 31, 1991, the Samoa-American 
provision was defeated. The conferees had contended that it was within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Interior and not the Committee on 
Education and Labor in order to amend the definition of Native 
Americans.
  Today, the program is still scored under title IV(D), as a 
discretionary item and the State Department of Labor of Hawaii 
continues to administer the program.
  Why would we seek to include Native Samoan-Americans in the JTPA 
Native Americans Programs? Because the JTPA-NAP program was established 
by Congress to address the serious unemployment and economic 
disadvantages which exist among members of these communities, namely 
Native American Indians, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians. And I 
feel that the Samoans who have migrated from American Samoa to Hawaii 
and the United States proper do qualify.
  As Members of Congress will testify, of all the minority groups in 
the United States, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and Native 
Samoan-Americans suffer the most economically, primarily due to 
educational, cultural, and language barriers. I submit to my colleagues 
in the House that 25 percent or more of the Samoan-Americans population 
here is the United States live in poverty.
  An official 1980 census cited 42,000 Samoans in the United States 
proper. At that stage nearly half of that Samoan population was 
residing in California and more than one-third was in Hawaii. Although 
severely under-counted, the 1990 U.S. Census cites 63,000 Samoans now 
living in the United States, an increase of 50.1 percent over the 1980 
statistics, 50 percent live in California, 23 percent in Hawaii and 6.5 
percent in Washington. Overall 87.6 percent live in the West region of 
the United States.
  I might also note, Mr. Speaker, that despite a 95-year relationship 
between American Samoa and the United States, the first official census 
taken by the U.S. Census Bureau of the territory was in 1990--only 5 
years ago.
  Statistics from the Hawaiian operation continue to show that male 
Samoans have an unemployment rate of over 9 percent while the 
unemployment female rate remains at 12 percent, both above the national 
norm. More than any other ethnic group, Samoans have substantially 
higher school dropout rate with higher incident rates of gang violence. 
In excess of 30 percent of the Samoan population in Hawaii reside in 
public housing projects, and Samoan youths and adults rate the lowest 
in terms in educational competencies and vocational/occupational 
skills.
  Since its inception in 1988, the JTPA Samoan Employment and Training 
Program has begun to address employment and training needs of our 
people. Hawaii last year enrolled 360 participants and terminated 174. 
Of the 174 terminated, 98 percent were placed in unsubsidized work 
averaging $10.65/ 
[[Page H4173]] hour for adults and $8.49/hour for youth.
  California enrolled 578 participants against a planned enrollment of 
625 and terminated 477; 240 participants out of the 477 were placed in 
unsubsidized jobs, that equates to a 50 percent success rate.
  The success of this program is evident from the mass mailing my 
office received recently because of the rescissions bill:

       Ms. Paulette Solt, Supervisor Senior Probation Officer of 
     the Juvenile Probation Department for the City and County of 
     San Francisco said the program provides, ``counseling, 
     remedial education assistance, job
      education and readiness, and youth employment that is 
     culturally and linguistically relevant.''
       Donna Briggs of the Department of Social Services, also for 
     the City and County of San Francisco said, ``Problems I've 
     experienced during the four years that I worked with Samoan 
     families, were monumental largely due to the fact that I am 
     not Samoan and knew nothing about who they are as a people.''
       The Mayor's Office of Community Development for the City 
     and County of San Francisco said, ``The employment and 
     training program they are currently providing is very 
     successful at placing Samoan American youths and adults into 
     jobs relating to the training they received as part of their 
     community development.''
       The City and County of Los Angeles has the largest Samoan 
     population in the continental U.S. and Shirley Crowe-Massey, 
     Principal of the Long Beach Unified School District said, 
     ``Many Samoan youths are at risk due to cultural and language 
     barriers. The office of Samoan Affairs addresses the needs of 
     and provides for Samoan students and their families; it is an 
     organization that is uniquely equipped to do so.''
       Robert Agres, Jr., Deputy Director of the City and County 
     of Honolulu Department of Human Resources said, ``While 
     Samoans in Hawaii have made much progress over the years in 
     moving towards increased economic independence, they continue 
     to be the most economically and socially disadvantaged ethnic 
     group in the State. Programs, like that of the [American 
     Samoan JTPA program], are an investment of federal dollars . 
     . . they help Samoans to move away from the dependence on 
     public support . . . to become contributors to the economic 
     life of our community.''

  Mr. Speaker, of concern to many of the letter writers, from school 
teachers, to church groups, to probation services, to travel agencies, 
to past and present participants, was--who would become the 
intermediary agency should the Native Samoan Americans JTPA Program be 
cut?
  Mr. Speaker, Before this American Native Samoan JTPA Program was 
here, there were no training programs that address the concerns of 
American Samoans, and there were no agencies
 familiar in the makeup of Samoan Americans in their surrounding 
communities--and this may be very true for many of the minority 
communities out there today. There was no one who could identify with 
the cultural aspect and the embodiment of being Samoan.

  But, we now have the Samoan American JTPA Program producing promising 
results, considering the difficulties in obtaining data and preparing 
appropriate training for these people. The Hawaii program statistics 
indicate that the cost per participant was $1,806 last year. 
California's cost per participant was $1,907 with an average cost per 
participant was $1,643 over that last 3 years.
  Mr. Speaker. I submit it would cost the Federal Government a lot more 
if these people were on welfare. In terms of investment this program 
sounds like a good return--it is a cost-effective initiative as well as 
a high yield in turning out productive and responsible citizens of our 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, many of the graduates of the JTPA Program are now 
earning decent wages and holding meaningful jobs; several have gone on 
to pursue degrees in higher education and some have even started their 
own businesses. It is evident that the program removes members of our 
community from the welfare roles, and more importantly, it will keep 
them from getting back to the welfare rolls.
  Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support of retaining the JTPA Program 
because it provides meaningful training for meaningful employment 
opportunities for our citizens. It is a proactive training program for 
youth and adults and especially their families improving their access 
to employment, improving their skills and enhancing the competitiveness 
of our labor force. It takes the sting out of turbulent years when 
families are in this transition phase of training and settling into new 
neighborhoods. It is a program that supports community development and 
cohesive and it is our responsibility as legislators to ensure that 
such programs remain part of our community and not be subject to the 
slash and cut program as outlined in the contract on America.
  Mr. Speaker, I can only imagine what effect block granting will have 
on minority communities. If we choose to send block grants to the State 
level you can bet your bottom dollar that the black community will 
suffer, the Hispanic community will suffer, the legal immigrant 
communities will suffer, minority communities will suffer. It is at the
 local level of our communities where our concerns are felt and it is 
here where they should be addressed.

  Mr. Speaker, the GAO report ``Block Grants--Characteristics, 
Experience, and Lessons Learned'' reinforces many of my concerns with 
block granting. I would like to see the local community service 
providers, the people who give their time and skills, the people who 
get their hands dirty, to continue to administer these programs without 
strings attached--to the State level. I am not convinced that States 
have the vested interest in serving a population that is politically 
and economically insignificant or if it can operate with the same 
efficiency and effectiveness. Let us not gag programs that we know make 
a difference in motivation, in personal self esteem, in positive 
reinforcement and outlook on life. Let us preserve this program that 
has continually proven to be successful while moving ahead to improve 
and provide a valued community service.
  Mr. Speaker, how can we be sure that block granting to State 
governments will channel funds to the most needy in our communities? 
How can we be sure that these State governments are going to spend the 
money for the express purpose that Congress intended these funds to be 
spent? What certainty is there that we will help the minority 
communities who suffer the most, who put up with the discriminations 
because of their race, the way they dress, their language, where they 
work, and their gender?
  Mr. Speaker, do not place the JTPA Program in a block grant if you 
intend to have it administered at the State level and on that basis 
Samoan-Americans would have ``zilch'' representation. Looking at OMB's 
Directive 15 Census category of Asians or Pacific Islanders [API] 
American-Samoans were 0.86 of 1 percent out of a group that total about 
8 million people. With no disrespect intended, the political arena 
favors the Asian-American population and in terms of allocating 
resources it would appear that Samoan-Americans would not receive the 
attention deserving of such a special population. It is interesting to 
note that the stereotyping of Asian and Pacific Island Americans in the 
contemporary United States has led policymakers and corporate leaders 
to view this API category as ``the model'' for other minority groups. 
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker, for some 500,000 Pacific Island 
Americans, the American experience has been one of a vicious cycle of 
broken homes and families, tremendous tensions among young people 
currently involved in gangs and drug trafficking, limited educational 
opportunities, and simply out of frustration and tensions, these 
citizens of our community inevitably become victims of the ``dark 
side'' of life, and simply adding greater costs to both local, State, 
and our national government.
  Mr. Speaker, my office has received hundreds of letters of support 
from all segments of the community, government agencies, local referral 
groups, institutions, church groups--each endorsing the special 
expertise that this program provides. They know of the impact that this 
program achieves because they deal with them on a day-to-day basis. We 
cannot ignore what they have to say: Don't close the door. Don't close 
the door.
  Mr. Speaker, the success of this program can largely be attributed to 
the caliber of senior personnel and the personal interests they hold 
for our American Samoan people: Mrs. Pat Luce-Aoelua of the National 
Office of Samoan Affairs [NOSA] has been in the business of caring, 
education, and counseling our people for over 20 years. She has carried 
out many research projects from cultural awareness to mental health 
training and has been on 
[[Page H4174]] call as a consultant to many of the local Federal 
agencies in California. Bill Emmsley of the Samoan Service Providers 
Association [SSPA] has also been very instrumental in reaching out to 
our community in Hawaii. His involvement also stems back to over 20 
years and has a strong commitment to employment training.
  Many of SSPA's participants have gone onto community colleges and 
even to university. SSPA recently graduated 17 participants from one of 
its entrepreneur training programs. In Seattle the operation is cared 
for by Logologo Sa'au, Jr. Although smaller in size, the operation in 
Seattle is just as important. Remember this is a tri-State program, the 
only program reaching out to many of your constituents who are American 
Samoans.
  In closing Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a few lines from a 
letter that speaks out in strong support of the Samoan-American JTPA 
program. From the mayor's Office of Community Development, City and 
County of San Francisco:

       . . . attests to the fact that the [Samoan-American JTPA 
     program] has an excellent operation as we have witness[ed] 
     for the past 3 years. The employment and training program 
     they are currently providing is very successful at placing 
     Samoan-American Youths and Adults into jobs relating to the 
     training they received as part of their community 
     development. This is a program that we can all be proud of as 
     they continue to provide outstanding counseling, education 
     and training to this economically disadvantaged population.

  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record statements on this subject from 
program directors Pat Luce-Aoelua for California, and Bill Emmsley for 
Hawaii.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I thank you for 
your patience and attention.
   Statement by National Office of Samoan Affairs, Inc., California 
       Addressing H.R. 1158 and 1159 Job Training Partnership Act

       On March 16, 1995, the House of Representatives adopted two 
     rescission bills (HR 1158 and HR 1159) relating to the Job 
     Training Partnership Act. Certain provisions of the HR 1158 
     eliminated funds specifically earmarked by Congress for the 
     American Samoan Job Training and Employment Program.
       As the Executive Director of the National Office of Samoan 
     Affairs which administers the American Samoan JTPA Program in 
     the State of California, I am aware of the disappointments 
     and dissatisfactions expressed by members of Congress with 
     the level of accomplishments and the number of successes 
     attained by the JTPA system as a whole. I can also understand 
     and appreciate the fervor of Congressional effort to reform 
     the system through either rescinding or reducing funds for 
     the JTPA Program. However, I find it extremely perplexing to 
     accept the House Committee's decision to rescind the funds 
     for the American Samoan JTPA Program since Congress, by its 
     own initiative and foresight, had adopted legislation, signed 
     into law by President Ronald Reagan, authorizing special 
     funding for the American Samoan JTPA Program in 1988. This 
     enactment was based on the findings of the ``Unemployment, 
     Poverty and Training Needs of American Samoans'' study by the 
     U.S. Department of Labor as mandated by Congress in 1984. 
     This study was conducted by Northwest Laboratory.
       The findings of the Department of Labor study indicate that 
     American Samoans are not making dramatic inroads into local 
     labor markets, and predict that, based on demographic factors 
     such as American Samoans residing in the United States live 
     in urban, economically depressed areas; they are dispersed 
     throughout the states and therefore are not visible in 
     substantial numbers such as other large minority groups to be 
     addressed by the Service Delivery Areas within the JTPA 
     structure. The American Samoans continue to ``fall through 
     the cracks.'' The problems currently exhibited by American 
     Samoan will continue into the future unless culturally 
     relevant programs are structured.
       Various studies have shown that American Samoan adults 
     encounter difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs 
     because they lack training, job information, and knowledge on 
     how to access resources, providing training and employment 
     information.
       But American Samoans in general do not utilize educational 
     training and employment services commensurate with their 
     numbers of needs, according to the DOL-commissioned study. As 
     it is implemented, the Job Training Partnership Act exists to 
     provide employment and training services to individuals and 
     groups with socioeconomic
      characteristics, such as American Samoans.
       Unfortunately, available evidence indicates that the 
     present and future needs of American Samoans residing in the 
     United States cannot be effectively met by existing JTPA 
     traditional services.
       The Department of Labor found that personnel in existing 
     services and programs know little about the unique aspects of 
     Samoan culture and tradition. Research also indicates that 
     there have been few outreach efforts and only isolated 
     attempts to hire American Samoan program staff or to increase 
     American Samoan participation in programs. Due to these 
     failures, local American Samoan communities lack knowledge 
     about the range of existing services and consequently, 
     participation is low.
       On the other hand, those programs do not offer ESL training 
     targeted for American Samoan-speaking adults and youths. 
     Since many American Samoans require language training, in 
     addition to technical training, they cannot easily 
     participate in other programs lacking an English-Samoan 
     bilingual component. The data indicate, American Samoan 
     communities in the United States have high proportions of 
     hard-to-train, hard-to-place persons. Because of the JTPA 
     funding evaluation criteria, this makes American Samoans 
     high-risk participants in programs sponsored by the general 
     community. These same criteria makes American Samoan 
     community sponsored program high-risk compared to programs 
     which serve other minorities. It is for these reasons, then 
     in 1988 and more so now, with one of the youngest population 
     in the U.S., median age 21, that the existing American Samoan 
     JTPA Program is so important to American Samoans in the 
     United States.
       The large family sizes and low income place many American 
     Samoan families below the established poverty levels. 
     According to the 1980 Census Bureau, the percentage of 
     American Samoans living in poverty in the United States was 
     27.5%, compared to 9.6% for the total U.S. population. After 
     10 years, the incidence of extreme poverty for American 
     Samoans is still about the same, 140 percent higher than for 
     the country as a whole.
       According to the 1990 U.S. Census, 25% of American Samoans 
     lived in poverty in the United States compared to 10% for the 
     total U.S. population. One out of every four American Samoan 
     families live in poverty. The rate of poverty for the 
     individual for American Samoans is 26% as compared to 13% for 
     the total U.S. population. 9.9 percent of all American 
     Samoans in the labor force are unemployed, a rate of 150 
     percent of the overall U.S. unemployment rate of 6.3 percent.
       The action by the House Committee in this matter was not 
     only ill-advised, insensible and reckless, but also 
     insensitive to the continuing needs of the American Samoan 
     population, a high risk population. With the tremendous 
     pressure in Washington to reduce spending, it appears that 
     programs with very little political pressure/influence are 
     mindlessly being eliminated regardless of their benefits to 
     the various communities across the country.
       The perception of the American Samoan Program by the House 
     Subcommittee as a political ``luxury'' that Congress can no 
     longer afford is irresponsible. To this economically 
     disadvantaged American Samoan population, the Program is the 
     lifeblood of their livelihood. To its many participants, the 
     Program has made the difference for their success in not only 
     finding but keeping a job. To the very few, it's the 
     opportunity to improve the quality of their lives and that of 
     their families. All of them consider the Program as a serious 
     and meaningful commitment by the Congress to reach out and 
     help a struggling, underemployed and underserved, at-risk-
     population of indigenous people to the United States. 
     Assuredly, the Program has gone far more than it is simply an 
     aid for this group who ostensibly ``fall through the crack'' 
     of governmental, mainstream programs. It has become a symbol 
     of governmental foresight and responsiveness to the concerns 
     and needs of this indigenous population of Native Americans.
       I have received numerous letters and telephone calls from 
     the participants of the Samoan Program, past and present, and 
     from the Samoan traditional leaders. They expressed their 
     concerns and disappointments with regard to the present 
     situation. It is not an exaggeration to say, Mr. Chairman, 
     that my people also expressed high regards for the Program 
     and held steadfastly to the notion that the American Samoan 
     JTPA Program represented a serious commitment by the Federal 
     Government to provide economically and educationally 
     disadvantaged American Samoans with skills and support 
     services necessary to succeed in the labor market.
       Although we understand and appreciate the need for the 
     Federal Government to reform the JTPA system through 
     consolidation or elimination of unnecessary or ineffective 
     programs, we know, for good reasons, that the American Samoan 
     Program is not one of them. I am proud to say that in 
     California, the American Samoan Program has been a big 
     success. For a brief example, our program has enrolled 3,472 
     adult and youth participants and placed a total of 1,247 in 
     employment since the program's inception in 1988. These 
     figures are higher than the national level. Unsubsidized 
     placement for the past 3 years was met at 109%, 129% and 
     102%. Our data also shows that during the last 3 program 
     years, it costs the Program an average of $2,258 for an adult 
     participant to go through the program and find a job, while 
     it costs $1,643 for a youth participant. Both cost factors 
     are far below the national level.
       The existing program's outcome fully demonstrates the cost 
     effectiveness as well as the successes that would not have 
     come about had it not been for the American Samoan JTPA 
     Program.
       [[Page H4175]] Mr. Chairman, we strongly recommend the 
     reinstatement of the American Samoan JTPA in its present 
     form. The proposed statement is consistent with the 
     historical precedents of the U.S. Government designed to 
     protect the people of American Samoa. American Samoans are 
     legally recognized as nationals of the United States, and 
     authority over American Samoa is vested in the President.
       The natives of American Samoa are Native Americans and are 
     entitled to ask Congress for special consideration based on 
     what Congress said that it has ``a special responsibility for 
     the Samoan people that grows out of the treaties of 
     friendship and commerce negotiated in the last century and 
     the trust relationship created when the islands were ceded to 
     the United States in early 1900s (H.R. 97-889, 1982:109-110).
       With more American Samoans living in the United States than 
     in American Samoa, with the largest concentration living in 
     the State of California, the Government of the United States, 
     through this program, will begin to meet its responsibility 
     to this Native American population in the U.S.
       On behalf of the American Samoan Community in California, 
     we thank you.
       Soifua ma is Manuia (Long Life and Good Health to You)
                                                      Pat H. Luce,
     Executive Director.
                                                                    ____

         Samoan Service Providers Association (SSPA), Samoan 
           Training & Employment Program (STEP),
                                     Honolulu, HI, March 26, 1995.
     Hon. Robert Livingston,
     Chairman, Appropriations Committee.
       Dear Mr. Livingston: As the Executive Director of the 
     Samoan Service Providers Association, an established 
     community-based non-profit organization in the State of 
     Hawaii, I am writing to urge you to help preserve (reinstate) 
     $5 million in funding for the American Samoan JTPA program 
     for fiscal 1995, which Congress passed with strong bipartisan 
     support last year. I justify my request based on the 
     following reasons:
       On April 17, 1900, the ``Stars and Stripes'' waved proudly 
     over American Samoan soil: Since, the Samoans have fought 
     courageously in all of our country's wars in the defense and 
     the preservation of freedom and of our ``way of life''. In 
     fact, during the Vietnam War (on a per capita basis) there 
     were more American Samoans killed or wounded in battle than 
     any other ethnic group in our country. Our unwavering 
     patriotism and love for our country is very much evident. It 
     is through our mutual Deed of Cession, the United States of 
     America signed its obligation to be the custodian of American 
     Samoa's education and welfare affairs. This trust has been 
     honored by the United States since, and we hope it continues 
     to be;
       Unlike other American indigenous groups such as, the Native 
     American Indians, Native Eskimos, etc., they have received 
     special recognition and preferred treatment, and thus, have 
     numerous federal programs at their disposal to service their 
     respective communities. Believe it or not, JTPA is the only 
     program that is currently serving the American Samoan 
     community in the entire United States of America. Dreadfully, 
     the current proposal (H.R. 1158 as reported), if it passes, 
     will totally eliminate the only program that is helping our 
     communities (Hawaii, California and Seattle) to realize the 
     American dream. One in every four American Samoan families 
     are under poverty which is well below the national norm, and 
     we have the highest unemployment rate and high school drop-
     out among all other ethnic groups nationally;
       Furthermore, as ``welfare reforms'' are being debated in 
     Congress, the American Samoans have consistently advocated 
     for JTPA programs as a means to the end. We deliberately did 
     not opt for social service oriented programs, because we 
     vehemently believed that by teaching specific skills, JTPA 
     participants would not only learn long life skills toward 
     ``self-sufficiency'', but they would also enhance the quality 
     of our labor force which benefits our private sector through 
     competitive selection. So, you see, we are not asking to 
     sustain a ``pork'' program nor for a handout, but a ``win-
     win'' program that addresses both the public's educational 
     and training need as well as the private sector's; and,
       Finally, our program has proven to be working extraordinary 
     given the level in which participants entered; their 
     employment barriers; and educational deficiencies. Last 
     year's (PY '93-'94) JTPA efforts produced superb outcome 
     performances: we enrolled, in our state alone, a total of 360 
     participants and terminated 174 participants. Of the 174 
     terminated, 98% were placed in unsubsidized work averaging 
     $10.65/hour (for adults) and $8.49/hour (for youth). Of the 
     98% placed, 31% were on various public assistance programs 
     and with remaining percentage of having multiple employment-
     barriers at the time of their enrollment. Contrary to popular 
     belief, our JTPA program has operated efficiently and 
     effectively, and has continued to fulfill the purpose of JTPA 
     above and beyond its measurable expectations.
       Therefore, as data indicate, our JTPA program has worked 
     marvelously throughout the years, and will continue to 
     provide substantial opportunities for our disadvantaged 
     community in our state. Having completely eliminate the only 
     program that is now serving our community will have 
     devastating impact socially, economically, as well as 
     politically. So please, we urge you and the rest of your 
     committee to reconsider the current proposal which 
     unjustifiably eliminate the American Samoan's JTPA program 
     totally and reinstate the already allocated $5 million.
       Your serious consideration is most greatly appreciated.
           Sincerely,
                                          William T. Emmsley, Jr.,
     Executive Director.
                                                                    ____

              [From the National Office of Samoan Affairs]

    TABLE 1.--GOAL ANALYSIS AND PARTICIPATION SUMMARY OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN SAMOAN JTPA PROGRAM IN STATE OF    
                                                   CALIFORNIA                                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Enrollment data                  Terminations               Unsubsid. placement     
      Program       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Act.       Pln.    Percent     Act.       Pln.    Percent     Act.       Pln.    Percent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988-89............        237        237      100        148        148      100        113        113      100
1989-90............        391        364      107        264        364       73        171        143      120
1990-91............        604        480      126        361        480       75        176        243       72
1991-92............        878        520      169        533        520      103        243        223      109
1992-93............        784        572      137        701        572      123        304        235      129
1993-94............        578        625       92        477        572       83        240        235      102
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      6-program                                                                                                 
       year totals.      3,472      2,798      124      2,484      2,656       94      1,247      1,192      105
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Program Year 1988 was the beginning of the Native American 
     Samoan JTPA Program in California. Since that time, 3,472 
     Native American Samoan residents in the Counties of San 
     Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange Co. and San Diego have 
     participated in the Program, receiving training and 
     employment services it offers.
       This Table shows the administering agency, the National 
     Office of Samoan Affairs, has consistently surpassed their 
     set goals, in all measuring categories of activities. 
     Enrollment is consistently above the Plan which resulted in 
     124% overall performance in a 6 year period. Terminations is 
     slightly below Plan with 94% as a result of participants 
     lacking employable skills, insignificant work history and 
     limited education which necessitates longer occupational/
     skill training period and remediation. In addition, our 
     Summer Youth Program started two weeks prior to the closing 
     of our 1990, 1991 and 1992 program year. The outcome is, 
     summer youth participants were carried over to the next 
     program year, which resulted in higher enrollment for the 
     next beginning year. For those years, enrollments were 
     consistently high and terminations dropped slightly.
       Unsubsidized Placement, however, except for 1990-1991 PY 
     was consistently above Plan. We closed out the 6 Program Year 
     Total with 105% achievement of Plan for Unsubsidized 
     Placement.
              [From the National Office of Samoan Affairs]

    TABLE II.--GOAL ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE ACHIEVEMENT SUMMARY FOR    
 PARTICIPANTS OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN SAMOAN JTPA PROGRAM IN THE STATE OF
                     CALIFORNIA FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              PY 1991-   PY 1992-                 3-PY  
   Indicator description         92         93     PY-1993-94   average 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult entered employment                                                
 rate (percent)............         87         96          84         89
Adult employability                                                     
 enhancement rate (percent)        103        108         114        108
Adult cost per entered                                                  
 employment................     $1,723     $2,299      $2,753     $2,258
Youth entered employment                                                
 rate (percent)............        107        137         226        157
Youth employability                                                     
 enhancement rate (percent)        153        151         121        142
Youth cost per positive                                                 
 termination...............     $1,564     $1,458      $1,907     $1,643
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       TABLE II shows an average of 89% of Adult participants 
     entering unsubsidized employment at a Cost of $2,258 per 
     participant and 157% of Youth participants at a Cost Factor 
     of $1,643. Both Cost Factors are far BELOW national level.


     

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