[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1905-E1906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WELFARE-TO-WORK PROVISIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 1997

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to my colleagues' 
attention the Clinton administration's proposed welfare-to-work 
provisions. The House is currently considering H.R. 2400, the BESTEA 
legislation, which includes a welfare-to-work component. However, I 
believe that in order for our welfare reform package--which I 
supported--to succeed, we must have strong provisions to transition 
welfare recipients into the workplace.
  The BESTEA legislation includes $42 million with a cap of 10 projects 
nationwide. I commend Chairman Shuster and our ranking member, 
Congressman Oberstar, for recognizing the need for this program. 
However, I believe we should approve the Clinton administration's 
proposal for transit welfare-to-work, which calls for $100 million. By 
the year 2002, States must have moved half of all adult welfare 
recipients--over 2 million people--off of welfare and into the 
workforce. This pilot program approach is now written in BESTEA will 
not be adequate to meet the needs of welfare reform.
  The Metro East has over 10,000 welfare clients without earned income 
who need education and training to find meaningful employment, 
according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. Regional 
studies have shown that with training, we can reduce our welfare rolls 
and put people back into the workplace, and transportation plays a key 
role in making that happen.
  I support the administration's welfare-to-work provisions and intend 
to work next spring to increase the amount for this program in the 
BESTEA legislation. I urge my colleagues to

[[Page E1906]]

work with me to lift the cap limit on projects and increase the amount 
authorized to sufficient levels to make welfare reform a success.

                          ____________________