[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1611-E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) 
     marking 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:

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my dismay over the 
elimination of the Summer Youth Employment Program in the Labor, Health 
and Human Services, and Education, Appropriations bill of 1996. Over 
the course of this summer, this program will enrich the lives of more 
than 600,000 low-income students across the Nation, helping them 
develop the skills essential to achieving self-sufficiency, 
independence, and career success.
  The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young men and women 
between the ages of 14 to 21 with summer positions in libraries, 
hospitals, parks, and recreation centers. In addition to work 
experience, the program provides basic and remedial education and job 
search assistance, preparing our Nation's youth for further successful 
participation in the work force.
  The program has helped employ and train more than 7 million students 
over an 11 year period. A survey conducted by the National Society for 
Hebrew Day Schools found three-fifths of former SYEP participants 
successfully employed in professional, managerial, computer, technical, 
sales, health or public safety fields. The Summer Youth Employment 
Program does more than give students a positive 

[[Page E 1612]]
way to spend their summers. It proves to them that they can succeed by 
helping them develop the skills to succeed.
  Mr. Chairman. I am appalled at the elimination of this very valuable 
program. It is shameful we cannot make a commitment to devote a portion 
of $1 out of every $100 toward our youth's future by funding this 
program. Termination of this program will send the following chilling 
message to our Nation's youth: Your future is not worth even 1 percent 
of our Federal budget.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote against the elimination of 
this very fundamental program. The Summer Youth Employment Program is 
an investment in America's youth that yields positive returns for 
America's present and future.


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