[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 66 (Monday, May 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, AND LITERACY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 16, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1385) to 
     consolidate, coordinate, and improve employment, training, 
     literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the 
     United States, and for other purposes:

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my colleague, Mr. 
Owens' amendment to H.R. 1385. I have always been a strong supporter of 
the Summer Youth Employment Program and believe that it should not be 
eliminated.
  The Employment, Training and Literacy Enhancement Act of 1997 does 
not include a provision which would continue the excellent work 
achieved by the many at-risk youths who take full advantage of the 
opportunities provided by the Summer Youth Employment Program.
  Summer Youth Employment provides millions of low-income youth their 
first vital lesson in the work ethic. Young people are reached at a 
critical time in their lives, helping them stay in school and graduate. 
In many ways, SYEP has proven to be an anticrime program by affording 
youths the opportunity to become productive citizens and staying off 
the streets of depressed areas.
  This program has faced significant reductions in resources over the 
years. And if we do not make the program a top priority, I am afraid 
that it will simply be forgotten through H.R. 1385 in its current form.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote for Mr. Owens' amendment 
which would preserve this very important program.

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