[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 1829

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, while H.R. 1829 has been placed on the Union 
Calendar and I can no longer remove my name as a cosponsor of the 
legislation, I would like to indicate that I am no longer supportive of 
the bill.
  While I do support providing small businesses greater access to 
government contracts, removing the Federal Prison Industries (FPI) 
mandatory source preference would result in countless inmate jobs being 
lost. Idle prisoners increase the likelihood of prison unrest and 
eliminating the program would remove the opportunity for inmates to 
learn vital job skills. These jobs teach the prisoners a trade that 
they can use after they reenter the workforce. The program is so 
popular that there currently are not enough jobs to fill all the 
requests for prison employment. Money earned by the prisoners is often 
used to make child support payments and pay restitution.
  Mr. Speaker, under current law, federal agencies can purchase 
products from the private sector if their prices are lower than FPI. 
Doing away with FPI will cost local prison jobs and only present the 
possibility of creating additional domestic manufacturing jobs 
elsewhere.

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