[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 2206, COATS HUMAN SERVICES REAUTHORIZATION ACT 
                                OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for the Conference Report on Coats Human Services 
Reauthorization Act because its good for our working families and good 
for our children.
  The Conference Report reauthorizes the Head Start, Community Services 
Block Grant, and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program through 
Fiscal Year 2003.
  The purpose of this legislation is to promote school readiness by 
enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children, 
to low-income children and their families, of health, educational, 
nutritional, social, and other services based on a families needs.
  The Conference Report will provide assistance to States and local 
communities, working through a network of community action agencies and 
other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, 
the revitalization of low-income communities, an the empowerment of 
low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become 
fully self-sufficient. In addition, this legislation will strengthen a 
community ability for planning and coordinating the use of a broad 
range of Federal, State, local, and other assistance related to the 
elimination of poverty, so that this assistance provided for in this 
report can be used in a manner responsive to local needs.
  The development and implementation of these programs designated to 
serve low-income communities and groups with the maximum feasible 
participation of residents of the communities and members of the groups 
served, so as to best stimulate and take full advantage of capabilities 
for self-advancement and assure that the programs are otherwise 
meaningful to the intended beneficiaries of the programs.

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