[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM EAST CENTRAL OREGON (CAPECO)

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Madam President, I rise today to commend 
my friends at the Community Action Program East Central Oregon, CAPECO. 
CAPECO was formed in October 1987 to support the economic development 
efforts of Morrow, Umatilla, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties through its 
worker training services.
  Located in my home town of Pendleton, OR, CAPECO works with the 
Oregon Workforce Alliance to offer employment and training services to 
employers and citizens of Morrow and Umatilla counties. CAPECO is an 
active Work-Links partner, offering services to help job seekers, 
workers, and employers. The Program has been active since the inception 
of the Workforce Investment Act and has been a tremendous help to 
hundreds of displaced workers trying to get back on their feet.
  This important program not only provides up to fifty percent of 
displaced workers' wages, but it offers skill assessments and 
retraining, and help with job applications, interviewing techniques, 
and stress management.
  I have heard from many constituents about how important this service 
has been in getting back to work or gaining skills for a new job. Ms. 
Mary Paige Rose recently contacted me to tell me how CAPECO changed her 
career. Ms. Rose writes: ``I was classified as a displaced worker by 
Oregon's Employment Department. They directed me to go to CAPECO and 
attend their classes called Choices and Options. This class was 
instructed by Mary Kinsch who became my work force counselor and 
confident. In less than a year, I have opened my own business due to 
the services I received from CAPECO . . . When I was fired from my 
account executive sales position . . . it devastated me. I had never 
been fired before and never had needed to use these types of social 
services. I am forever grateful for CAPECO and for the Oregon 
Employment Department for assisting me. I would not be where I am today 
without the aid. . . . With the help of programs like CAPECO, I am not 
a liability to Umatilla County or the State of Oregon, I am an asset. I 
appreciate all the help that Mary Kinsch and CAPECO were able to give 
me through the Workforce Investment Act. Please know that programs like 
CAPECO are very needed especially in such a distressed area as Umatilla 
County.''
  Madam President, I am proud of CAPECO's important contribution to the 
Oregon economy and proud of constituents like Ms. Rose who have taken 
advantage of these services and also contributed to job growth in the 
state. They are a credit to my state of Oregon and to this 
country.

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