[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H2478-H2479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT WELFARE REFORM

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, nearly 9 million people have 
gone from welfare checks to paychecks, thanks to Republicans.

                              {time}  1030

  Let me give an example of a constituent in my district, and I will 
call her Janice. She is a single mother of a 5-year-old, and last 
spring Janice lost her job in a soft economy. With a tight labor market 
and no college degree, Janice could not find a job to support her 
family. But thanks to welfare reform and the good people at a Texas 
Workforce Center, Janice applied for welfare the very next day. She did 
not want to stay on welfare; she wanted to find a job. The center 
helped her organize her options and find a job at a manufacturing 
plant. They also helped her find child care. Mr. Speaker, eventually, 
they helped her find a job in the Garland Independent School District.
  She now has self-sufficient pay, a regular schedule, full benefits, 
and

[[Page H2479]]

even retirement. After 6 months of steady work, Janice and her family 
moved from welfare to work. Janice is a story of determination. Janice 
is a story of hope. I salute her and an even better welfare reform bill 
today.

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