[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         AIRLINE WORKER RELIEF

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I stand with my congressional 
colleagues in the House and in the Senate in my support of relief for 
the thousands of employees that have been or soon will be laid off in 
the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11. And, perhaps 
most importantly, I want to re-emphasize the immediate need for 
congressional action.
  As this body deliberates the form and size of a worker relief 
package, many working men and women are now searching for new jobs. 
They are beginning the application process for unemployment benefits. 
Quite frankly, they are wondering how they are going to buy their 
groceries, make their house payment, and pay for transportation. All of 
this, when our economy is at a downturn.
  The United States is facing a crisis, and it is not merely a security 
crisis. There is a visible, pressing need for worker relief. Just as 
this body acted swiftly to address the needs of the airline industry, 
we should also move quickly to enact assistance for America's displaced 
workers.
  I would also urge my colleagues to remember all workers that have 
been displaced in recent weeks. The dramatic decrease in travel and 
tourism affects not only those workers employed by the airline 
industry. No. Working men and women in the hospitality industry are 
facing massive layoffs. The same is true for restaurant workers and 
thousands of service sector employees. Close to 3 million jobs could be 
lost.
  In recent years, the safety net for these workers has begun to 
unravel. Passing a relief package for workers displaced by the tragic 
events of September 11 will give us the opportunity to begin to weave 
the safety net back together. I will do all that I can to ensure our 
safety net regains its strength now and maintains its strength in the 
future. I sincerely hope that my congressional colleagues and the 
President will do the same.

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